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International Racing Trio of global stars shake up elite rankings Australian queen crushes opposition down under
Three new stars have stormed into the latest LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings following a scintillating month of international racing, with Via Sistina emerging as the highest-rated mare globally.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained superstar has rocketed to a mark of 127 after completing a remarkable Group One treble down under. Her demolition jobs in the TAB Turnbull Stakes, Ladbrokes Cox Plate and TAB Champions Stakes have catapulted her alongside City Of Troy as the world's leading turf performer.
American sensation Sierra Leone has muscled his way into joint-fourth position following his commanding victory in the Gr.1 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. The Todd Pletcher-trained colt's rating has soared to 125 after powering clear of Fierceness by one and a half lengths.
The Kentucky-based star had earlier landed the Gr.1 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes before being touched off in a nose-bobbing finish to the Kentucky Derby. Previous Classic winners include Authentic, Knicks Go and Flightline, who all went on to earn champion older horse honours.
Fresh from his commanding triumph in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Charyn continues his meteoric rise through the rankings. The William Haggas-trained miler's two-length demolition of Facteur Cheval sees him climb to 124.
The 4YOs earlier Group One victories in the Queen Anne Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois mark him out as Europe's leading specialist over the straight mile this term.
Hong Kong's rising force Ka Ying Rising enters the rankings on 120 after stretching his winning sequence to six in the Premier Bowl, while Japanese raiders Do Deuce and Rousham Park have earned identical marks of 122 following their heroics in the Tenno Sho Autumn and Breeders' Cup Turf respectively.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Rebel's Romance denied Rousham Park by a neck in an epic finish to the US$4 million Longines-sponsored contest at Santa Anita, while seasoned campaigner Anmaat caused an upset in Ascot's US$1.8 million Qipco Champion Stakes.
Leading star Laurel River retains his position atop the rankings on 128 after his earlier exploits in Dubai for the Doug O'Neill stable.