The LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings (for 3yos and upwards which raced between 1st January 2023 and 5th November 2023)

Following his dominant victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Sponsored by Qipco) (G1), BIG ROCK (FR) [127] is now the co-fourth highest rated horse, along with HUKUM (IRE) [127], in the ninth edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2023.

LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings

Leading Horses

Rank Horse Rating Trained
1 EQUINOX (JPN) 129 JPN
2 ACE IMPACT (IRE) 128 FR
2 MOSTAHDAF (IRE) 128 GB
4 BIG ROCK (FR) 127 FR
4 HUKUM (IRE) 127 GB
6 WESTOVER (GB) 126 GB
7 GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS) 125 HK
7 LUCKY SWEYNESSE (NZ) 125 HK
7 PADDINGTON (GB) 125 IRE
10 AUGUSTE RODIN (IRE) 124 IRE
10 TITLEHOLDER (JPN) 124 JPN


Big Rock was unchallenged in the Queen Elizabeth II, and he pulled away to win by six lengths. He came into the race having finished second in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) behind Sauterne, the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois (G1) behind Inspiral, and the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (G1) behind ACE IMPACT (IRE) [128]. Big Rock won four consecutive starts earlier in the season, including the Prix la Force (G3) and Prix de Guiche (G3).

Also on British Champions Day, KING OF STEEL (USA) [122] proved victorious in the Qipco Champion Stakes (G1), and he raised his rating to 122 from 121.

The Breeders’ Cup World Championships had an impact on the latest rankings as well. WHITE ABARRIO (USA) [123] has improved his rating to 123 from 122 following his win in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), which he took by a length over DERMA SOTOGAKE (JPN) [121].

AUGUSTE RODIN (IRE) [124] maintains his rating of 124 following his victory in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), but the race affected the ratings of those he defeated. Auguste Rodin won by three-quarters of a length over UP TO THE MARK (USA) [122], who has had his rating raised to 122 from 121, while SHAHRYAR (JPN) [121] was another half-length back in third and joins this year’s rankings off that effort.

In Hong Kong, CALIFORNIA SPANGLE (IRE) [123] has improved his rating to 123 from 122 following his victory in the Sha Tin Trophy (G2), which he won by a half-length.

In Japan, JUSTIN PALACE (JPN) [121] is ranked following his second-place effort behind EQUINOX (JPN) [129], the highest rated horse in the world, in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1). Additionally, DUREZZA (JPN) [120] joins the rankings following his 3 ½ length score in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) (G1), and LEMON POP (USA) [120] drew attention by taking the Mile Championship Nambu Hai by 30 lengths.

Meanwhile, THINK ABOUT IT (AUS) [121] joins the rankings after his half-length victory over I WISH I WIN (NZ) [121] in the Tab Everest in Australia.