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Sovereignty and Journalism have stormed into the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings following their impressive one-two finish in the US$5 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
The Chad Brown-trained Sovereignty earned a rating of 121 after powering to a 1½-length victory in the American Classic, completing the 1¼ miles on a sloppy track in 2:02.31. This performance has catapulted him into joint-eighth position in the global standings.
Leading the rankings remains Japanese star Forever Young, who holds top spot with a rating of 127 following his victory in the Saudi Cup earlier this year.
Hong Kong's sprinting sensation Ka Ying Rising has continued his meteoric rise up the rankings, improving his mark to 126 from 124 after claiming his 12th consecutive victory in the Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin. The New Zealand-bred gelding has drawn level with fellow Hong Kong-based star Romantic Warrior in joint-second position, with Japanese star Danon Decile holding fourth place with a rating of 125.
"Ka Ying Rising, who has now won 12 consecutive races, took the Gr.1 Chairman's Sprint Prize by 2¼ lengths in his most recent start," the official Longines report stated.
Sharing eighth place with Sovereignty is fellow Godolphin-owned Ruling Court, who claimed the Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket. The American-bred colt triumphed by half a length over Field Of Gold, who earned a rating of 120, with Shadow Of Light a further half-length back in third with a mark of 119.
Japan-based Soul Rush, winner of the Dubai Turf, also sits on a rating of 121 alongside Sovereignty and Ruling Court.
Kentucky Derby runner-up Journalism has entered the rankings on a mark of 119, putting him in a six-horse tie that includes 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna.
In sole possession of fifth place with a 124 rating, Pegasus World Cup winner White Abarrio remains the top-rated North American-based horse in the rankings. Santa Anita Handicap winner Locked is tied with Calandagan for sixth with a 123 rating.
Another newcomer to the rankings is Japanese star Tastiera, who won the FWD QEII Cup in his first start of the year, earning a rating of 120.
The latest rankings showcase the truly global nature of elite racing, with Japan, Hong Kong, America, and Europe all represented at the highest level.
Museum Mile (Japan), Sosie (Ireland), Thorpedo Anna (USA), and Via Sistina (Ireland) all share a rating of 119. Museum Mile triumphed in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas), Sosie took the Prix Ganay, Thorpedo Anna claimed the Apple Blossom Handicap, and Via Sistina was victorious in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, the official listing of the world's best racehorses for 3YOs and upwards, covers performances between 1st January and 4th May 2025.