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| Staff Writer |
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City of Troy has galloped into second place in the latest LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings, cementing his status as the world's highest-rated turf horse. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt's scintillating performance in the Gr.1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York has seen his rating soar to 127, just one point behind the top-ranked Laurel River.
The 3YO son of Justify stunned onlookers with a front-running masterclass, leading from pillar to post and setting a new track record in the process. Storming clear of his rivals, City of Troy crossed the line a length ahead of Calandagan, adding the Juddmonte to his already impressive haul of the Gr.1 Coral-Eclipse and the Gr.1 Betfred Derby.
Previous winners of the Juddmonte International include the mighty Frankel, who landed the race in 2012 before going on to retire undefeated, and the globetrotting sensation Mishriff, who followed up his 2021 victory with triumphs in the Saudi Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic.
While City of Troy basks in the limelight, the battle for supremacy rages on. Laurel River continues to reign supreme with a rating of 128, his exploits on the dirt tracks of the UAE keeping him at the pinnacle of world racing.
Sharing the third spot with a rating of 125 are Calandagan and Goliath. The former, trained by Andre Fabre, has been in scintillating form this season, notching up victories in the Gr.2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, as well as the Gr.3 Prix Hocquart and Gr.3 Prix Noailles.
Rounding out the top five are Fierceness and Rebel's Romance, both on a mark of 123. Fierceness, under the expert guidance of Todd Pletcher, has been making waves in the US, most recently clinching a thrilling victory in the Gr.1 DraftKings Travers Stakes at Saratoga. The colt's head-bobbing triumph over Thorpedo Anna saw his rating climb from 121 to 123, adding to his earlier successes in the Gr.2 Jim Dandy Stakes and the Gr.1 Curlin Florida Derby.
The latest rankings have also seen several new faces bursting onto the scene. Charyn, trained by Ralph Beckett, has rocketed up to a rating of 122 following his commanding three-length victory in the Gr.1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois. The colt's ascent through the ranks has been meteoric, having first caught the eye with his win in the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Another newcomer making waves is Economics, who has been turning heads with his unbeaten run in 2024. The Simon & Ed Crisford-trained colt has notched up three victories, including a notable success in the Gr.2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano. His earlier triumph in the Gr.2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes had already marked him out as one to watch.
Across the Channel, Fantastic Moon has been flying the flag for German racing. The colt's victory in the Gr.1 WETTSTAR.de - 154th Grosser Preis von Baden has seen him enter the rankings on a mark of 120, a testament to the strength of the German racing scene.
As the flat season hurtles towards its climax, the stage is set for a thrilling finale. With the likes of City of Troy and Laurel River leading the charge, and a host of rising stars snapping at their heels, racing fans are in for a treat as the world's best horses battle for supremacy on the global stage.