U.S. runners hold top 2 spots in world racehorse rankings

U.S. runners hold top 2 spots in world racehorse rankings

March 14, 2024

Photo:

Scott Serio / Eclipse Sportswire


National Treasure
and Señor Buscador share the top spot in the first edition of the world’s best racehorse rankings for 2024.

National Treasure and Señor Buscador both began their 2024 campaigns in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes in January, and National Treasure defeated Señor Buscador by a neck.

Following that effort, they both travelled to the Middle East to compete in the Saudi Cup (G1). Señor Buscador raced in the back of the field for the majority of the race before rallying to defeat Ushba Tesoro by a head. Saudi Crown was three-quarters of a length back in third, while National Treasure was three-quarters of a length back in fourth.

Ushba Tesoro is in the co-second position in the rankings, along with three other horses. Romantic Warrior started the year with a victory in the Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1), which he won by a neck over Voyage Bubble. Rebel’s Roance also began his 2024 season in winning fashion, taking the H H The Amir Trophy (G3) by three lengths. Meanwhile, Private Eye is ranked after finishing second by a head to Imperatriz in the Black Caviar Lightning (G1).

The world’s best racehorse rankings are compiled by the world’s best racehorse rankings committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

  Horse Rating Surface Year foaled Sex Trainer Name Trained
  1. National Treasure (USA)  121    D     2020 C Bob Baffert USA
  1. Señor Buscador (USA)  121    D     2018 H Todd Fincher USA
  3. Private Eye (AUS)  120    T     2017 G Joseph Pride AUS
  3. Rebel’s Romance (IRE)  120    T     2018 G Charlie Appleby UAE
  3. Romantic Warrior (IRE)  120    T     2018 G Danny Shum HK
  3. Ushba Tesoro (JPN)  120    D     2017 H Noboru Takagi JPN
  7. Charles Dickens (SAF)  119    T     2019 C Candice Bass-Robinson SAF
  7. Imperatriz (AUS)  119    T     2018 M Mark Walker AUS
  7. Mr Brightside (NZ)  119    T     2017 G Ben, Will & J. D. Hayes AUS
  7. Prognosis (JPN)  119    T     2018 H Mitsumasa Nakauchida JPN
  7. Saudi Crown (USA)  119    D     2020 C Brad Cox USA
  7. Voyage Bubble (AUS)  119    T     2018 G Ricky Yiu HK
13. Straight Arron (AUS)  118    T     2018 G Caspar Fownes HK
13. Think It Over (AUS)  118    T     2015 G Kerry Parker AUS
15. California Spangle (IRE)  117    T     2018 G Tony Cruz HK
15. Ever Daddy (ARG)  117    D     2020 C Juan Saldivia ARG
15. Fangirl (AUS)  117    T     2018 M Chris Waller AUS
15. Main Defender (SAF)  117    T     2020 G Tony Peter SAF
15. Nysos (USA)  117    D     2021 C Bob Baffert USA