 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Forever Young remains the world's highest-rated racehorse according to the latest Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, despite suffering defeat in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan last week. The Japanese superstar, trained in Japan, still heads the global standings with a rating of 127.
The multiple Group One winner could only finish third behind American-trained duo Hit Show and Mixto in the Gr.1 Dubai World Cup on April 5, but his previous heroics in the Gr.1 Saudi Cup have kept him at the summit of the world rankings.
Danon Decile has powered into the top three of the world rankings following his impressive victory in the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic. The Japanese-trained 4YO, winner of last year's Japanese Derby, has been awarded a rating of 125 after defeating a star-studded field at Meydan.
The colt, whose previous top-level victory came in the 2024 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby), began his 2025 campaign with a victory in the Gr.2 American Jockey Club Cup in January before his devastating Dubai performance.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi's charge took the race by 1¼ lengths over Irish-bred Calandagan (123), while fellow Japanese raider Durezza (120) was 1¾ lengths back in third. Last year's winner Rebel's Romance (120) was a neck further back in fourth.
Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior holds second place in the rankings with a 126 rating, having recently suffered an agonising nose defeat to Japanese runner Soul Rush in a thrilling finish to the Gr.1 Dubai Turf at Meydan Racecourse.
The Irish-bred 6YO, trained by Danny Shum, had previously finished a narrow second to Forever Young in the Saudi Cup. In January, Romantic Warrior won the Gr.1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan.
Maljoom finished third in the Dubai Turf, 1¼ lengths behind the principals.
The highest-rated US-trained horse on the world rankings is this year's Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes winner White Abarrio, tied for fourth with Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising on a rating of 124.
Trained by Saffie Joseph Jr for C2 Racing Stable, Gary Barber, and La Milagrosa Stable, White Abarrio backed up his dominant Pegasus score with a 5¼-length romp in the Gr.3 Ghostzapper Stakes on March 29 at Gulfstream Park.
The grey 5YO continues to enhance his reputation as America's leading dirt performer and represents the strongest challenge from the United States in the global standings.
Leading Horses (For 3yos and upwards which raced between 1st January and 6th April 2025)
FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) - 127 - JPN
ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE) - 126 - HK
DANON DECILE (JPN) - 125 - JPN
KA YING RISING (NZ) - 124 - HK
WHITE ABARRIO (USA) - 124 - USA