In a landmark achievement for South African breeding, two stallions from the Avontuur Stud in the Western Cape feature as having sired horses in the World Racehorse rankings. 

Military Attack's sire Oratorio and Variety Club's sire Var, are both residential at the Avontuur estate in South Africa. The rankings are headed by three times Santa Anita Handicap winner Game on Dude and is littered with horses from around the globe. 

Already the winner of the “Big ‘Cap” in 2011 and 2013, Game On Dude brought up his hat-trick with a length and three-quarter triumph over last year’s top Dirt 3yo, WILL TAKE CHARGE (USA) [123], with the remainder of the field eight lengths and more behind.

Will Take Charge, who had edged out Game On Dude by a head in the Clark Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs in November, had already shown his well-being this year when finishing a fine second to the progressive LEA (USA) [121] in the Donn Handicap (G1) at Gulfstream Park in February. Lea was following up his success in the Hal’s Hope Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream in January, and put up a career best performance in the Donn, which he won by a length and a half.

The leading three-year-old on dirt so far this year is CAIRO PRINCE (USA) [117]. Now the winner of three of his four races, Cairo Prince made a successful seasonal debut when storming to a 5.75 length success in the Holy Bull Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream in January.

The highest rated performance on Turf in 2014 to date has been put up by MILITARY ATTACK (IRE) [124], who returned to his very best in the Citibank Hong Kong Gold Cup (HK G1) at Sha Tin in February. The winner of the same race in 2013, Military Attack forged clear to score by three lengths from DAN EXCEL (IRE) [118], with DOMINANT (IRE) [118] a close third.

Sharing second spot on Turf are AKEED MOFEED (GB) [123] and JUST A WAY (JPN) [123]. Just A Way had shot to prominence when winning the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) in October from subsequent Japan Cup (G1) heroine Gentildonna, and he returned from a four month absence with a smooth three and a half-length success in the Nakayama Kinen (G2) in early March.

2013 BMW Hong Kong Derby (HK G1) winner Akeed Mofeed put up a courageous weight carrying performance when taking the Centenary Vase (Handicap) (HK G3) under top weight of 133lb.

The top sprinter in the world so far this year is clearly LANKAN RUPEE (AUS) [121]. Now the winner of his last five starts, Lankan Rupee has improved with each of those races, on his last two starts winning the Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (G1) and the Lexus Newmarket Handicap (G1) convincingly.

FIORENTE (IRE) [118], who gained his first Group 1 success when victorious in the Emirates Melbourne Cup (G1) in November, has returned in fine form with wins in the Carlton Draught Peter Young Stakes (G2) and the Darley Australian Cup (G1). In the latter event, he defeated the 2012 Melbourne Cup winner GREEN MOON (IRE) [116] by half a length.

In Dubai, South African-trained VARIETY CLUB (SAF) [118] made a successful overseas debut in the Firebreak Stakes (G3) at Meydan, in the process producing the best performance on an artificial surface of the year so far.