Following his easy victory in the Furphy T J Smith Stakes (G1), NATURE STRIP (AUS) [124] has joined LIFE IS GOOD (USA) [124] at the top of the second edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2022.

LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings

Leading Horses

Rank Horse Rating Trained
1 LIFE IS GOOD (USA) 124 USA
1 NATURE STRIP (AUS) 124 AUS
3 SPEAKER’S CORNER (USA) 123 USA
4 GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS) 122 HK
5 COUNTRY GRAMMER (USA) 121 USA
5 GOLDEN PAL (USA) 121 USA
7 EMBLEM ROAD (USA) 120 KSA
7 HOME AFFAIRS (AUS) 120 AUS
7 SHAHRYAR (JPN) 120 JPN
7 THINK IT OVER (AUS) 120 AUS
7 ZAAKI (GB) 120 AUS


Nature Strip drew clear in the T J Smith, posting a 3 ¼ length victory in the sprint contest. In doing so, he raised his rating to 124 from 119. Based off this performance, trainer Chris Waller has indicated Nature Strip will now race internationally and is being pointed toward the King’s Stand Stakes (G1) during Royal Ascot.

SPEAKER’S CORNER (USA) [123] moves into third position following his 4 ½ length score in the Carter Handicap (G1). Previously rated at 119, Speaker’s Corner is undefeated in three starts in 2022. His earlier victories came in the WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2) and Fred W. Hooper Stakes presented by Hill 'n' Dale Farms at Xalapa (G3).

Stalwart Hong Kong runner GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS) [122] joins the 2022 rankings in the fourth spot after returning to winning form in the Chairman’s Trophy (G2) in his third start of the year. He won the race by two lengths.

Two runners, COUNTRY GRAMMER (USA) [121] and GOLDEN PAL (USA) [121], are the co-fifth highest rated horses in the world. Country Grammer improved his rating to 121 from 119 by taking the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) over HOT ROD CHARLIE (USA) [118]. Country Grammer came into the race having finished second behind EMBLEM ROAD (USA) [120] in the Saudi Cup (G1). Golden Pal is ranked following his victory by 4 ¾ lengths in the Shakertown Stakes (G2). It was his first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) last November, and Golden Pal is now expected to face Nature Strip at Royal Ascot.

Country Grammer was not the only horse to impress in Dubai. SHAHRYAR (JPN) [120] is joint seventh in the rankings after winning the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) over YIBIR (GB) [119], AUTHORITY (JPN) [118], and PYLEDRIVER (GB) [118]. Meanwhile, A CASE OF YOU (IRE) [118], LORD NORTH (IRE) [118], and PANTHALASSA (JPN) [118] are also all ranked following their victories. A Case of You won the Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by Azizi Developments (G1), while Lord North and Panthalassa made history with a dead heat in the Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1).

In addition to Nature Strip, a number of other runners in Australia have also impacted this month’s rankings. THINK IT OVER (AUS) [120] improved his rating to 120 from 118 and is now in co-seventh following his half-length victory over ZAAKI (GB) [120] in the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1). Zaaki had come into the race off a win in the Seppelt Wines All-Star Mile. ANAMOE (AUS) [119], meanwhile, joins the rankings following his victory by 6 ½ lengths in the Sky Racing Active Rosehill Guineas (G1).

Elsewhere, O’CONNOR (CHI) [118] joins the rankings after taking the Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1); POTAGER (JPN) [118] was the upset winner of the Osaka Hai (G1); and TRUESHAN (FR) [118] kicked off his 2022 season with a victory in the Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes.