The latest LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, covering performances from 1 January to 10 August 2025, reveal a fascinating, highly competitive picture at the very top of the sport — with three champions sharing the crown.

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Triple Threat at the Summit

Three horses sit in joint-first on an impressive 127 rating, each excelling in different environments:

• Field of Gold (IRE) – 3yo colt, John & Thady Gosden, GB. Turf specialist over middle distances; a rising star for Juddmonte.
• Forever Young (JPN) – 4yo colt, Yoshito Yahagi, JPN. Dirt powerhouse; a global flagbearer for Japanese racing.
• Ombudsman (IRE) – 4yo colt, John & Thady Gosden, GB. Turf star over intermediate trips; owned by Godolphin.

Two Gosden-trained horses at the top is a clear statement of the yard’s depth and form in 2025.

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International Firepower

The rankings underline the sport’s truly global spread of elite talent:

• Great Britain – Gosden’s double at the top joined by Owen Burrows and Charlie Appleby contenders; Godolphin heavily represented.
• Ireland – Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle machine fields four horses at 123+, with others at 120, signalling a strong classic generation.
• Japan – Consistent presence via Forever Young, Danon Decile, Soul Rush, and Jantar Mantar — a growing global force.
• Hong Kong – Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising carry the flag in middle-distance and sprint divisions.
• USA – Sovereignty, White Abarrio, Locked, and Mindframe lead the Dirt charge.
• France – Calandagan, Lazzat, Sajir, and Sosie keep André Fabre and Francis Henri Graffard in the global conversation.
• Australia – Antino and Voyage Bubble ensure southern hemisphere representation in the top 20.

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Younger Legs Leading the Way

Youth dominates the upper echelons, with 3yos and 4yos making up the bulk of the top-rated runners. Colts and geldings are most prevalent, though top mares/ fillies such as Kalpana (GB) and Whirl (IRE) prove the distaff side can still punch hard at the top table.

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Surface & Distance Specialists

While Turf rules the rankings, Dirt specialists like Forever Young and Sovereignty show global versatility. Distance spread:

• Middle distances (1301m–1899m) – Sweet spot for many leaders, including Field of Gold and Romantic Warrior.
• Intermediate (1900m–2100m) – Ombudsman and several Ballydoyle stars thrive here.
• Long (2101m–2700m) – Calandagan and Rebel’s Romance keep the stayers in play.
• Sprint (1000m–1300m) – Ka Ying Rising and Lazzat carry the speed banner.

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Powerhouse Owners

The elite ownership operations continue to dominate:

• Juddmonte – Field of Gold, Kalpana.
• Godolphin – Ombudsman, Sovereignty, Rebel’s Romance, Ruling Court, Trawlerman.
• Coolmore Partnership – Major influence via Ballydoyle-trained stars.
• Susumu Fujita – Forever Young.
• Shadwell – Anmaat, Jantar Mantar.
• Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners – Locked, Journalism.

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Final Take

The 2025 global racing landscape is being shaped by a mix of emerging young stars and seasoned professionals, with Turf middle-distance runners leading the way. The balance between GB/Ireland dominance, Japan’s continued rise, and a broad spread of international contenders makes this year’s rankings not just a leaderboard, but a snapshot of a sport thriving on global rivalries.