As both ARROGATE (USA) [134] and WINX (AUS) [132] continue their preparations for upcoming campaigns, GUN RUNNER (USA) [125] has moved into the third spot in the fifth edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2017.

LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings

Leading Horses

Rank Horse Rating Trained
1 ARROGATE (USA) 134 USA
2 WINX (AUS) 132 AUS
3 GUN RUNNER (USA) 125 USA
4 RIBCHESTER (IRE) 124 GB
5 CHURCHILL (IRE) 123 IRE
5 HARTNELL (GB) 123 AUS
5 HIGHLAND REEL (IRE) 123 IRE
5 JACK HOBBS (GB) 123 GB

In his first start back since finishing second to Arrogate in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), Gun Runner pulled away in the stretch of the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) to win by seven lengths.

Meanwhile, Royal Ascot also produced a number of significant results in regards to the rankings. Leading the way was RIBCHESTER (IRE) [124], who equaled the rating he earned in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (G1) when he won the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) over MUTAKAYYEF (GB) [120] to kick off the famed race meeting.

Sitting just behind him in co-fifth position is HIGHLAND REEL (GB) [123], who defeated DECORATED KNIGHT (GB) [120] by 1 ¼ lengths in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1). With his victory, Highland Reel improved the rating of 121 he had received for winning the Investec Coronation Cup (G1).

In the sprint division, the filly LADY AURELIA (USA) [122] scored in the King’s Stand Stakes (G1), and CARAVAGGIO (USA) [121] remained undefeated whilst winning the Commonwealth Cup (G1).

The Gold Cup (G1) went to BIG ORANGE (GB) [121], who just bested Order of St George (IRE) [120] by a head, and the St James’s Palace Stakes (G1) was won by BARNEY ROY (GB) [120]. Barney Roy then finished second by a nose to ULYSSES (IRE) [121] in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) in his next start.

Elsewhere, another horse making his first start since Dubai was MIND YOUR BISCUITS (USA) [120], who followed his win in the Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News (G1) with a score in the Belmont Sprint Championship Stakes (G2). MOR SPRIT (USA) [120] also impressed in the United States by winning the Mohegan Sun Metropolitan Handicap (G1) by 6 ¼ lengths.

SATONO CROWN (JPN) [121] improved his rating by taking the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) in Japan, while MARINARESCO (SAF) [120] is ranked after winning the Vodacom Durban July (G1) in South Africa, and Thewizardofoz (AUS) [120] found glory in Hong Kong with his victory in the Premier Cup (G3).