The first edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2017 features a tie at the top between superstars ARROGATE (USA) [127] and WINX (AUS) [127].

LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings

Rank Horse Rating Trained
1 ARROGATE (USA) 127 USA
1 WINX (AUS) 127 AUS
3 HARTNELL (GB) 123 AUS
4 SATONO CROWN (JPN) 120 JPN

Arrogate, the 2016 Longines World’s Best Racehorse, has continued his winning ways this year. In his first start of the season, Arrogate pulled away to win the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) by 4 3/4 lengths even though jockey Mike Smith had him geared down before the wire. His next start is scheduled to be the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) on March 25.

Winx, who finished 2016 as the highest rated turf horse and highest rated filly/mare in the world, also remains in fine form. Her victories this year include the TAB Chipping Norton Stakes (G1) and The Star Apollo Stakes (G2). Her next start will come in the George Ryder Stakes (G1) on March 18 as she looks to claim her 16th consecutive victory.

Sitting in the third spot is HARTNELL (GB) [123]. The Authorized gelding has chased Winx on a number of occasions, including finishing second behind her in the Apollo.

Japan’s SATONO CROWN (JPN) [120] earned his rating with his victory in the Kyoto Kinen (G2), which he won by 1 ¼ lengths over Smart Layer and MAKAHIKI (JPN) [117]. It was his first start of the year, after ending 2016 with a half-length victory over Highland Reel in the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (G1).

Nine horses sit a joint fifth in the first rankings of the year. Argentina’s SIXTIES SONG (ARG) [119] took the LONGINES Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1); Australia is represented by BLACK HEART BART (AUS) [119], CHAUTAUQUA (AUS) [119] and LE ROMAIN (AUS) [119]; Hong Kong runners include AMAZING KIDS (NZ) [119], HELENE PARAGON (FR) [119], and PENIAPHOBIA (IRE) [119]; South Africa is represented by its reigning Horse of the Year LEGAL EAGLE (SAF) [119]; and the United Arab Emirates-based ERTIJAAL (IRE) [119] rounds out the group.