It’s the fourth edition of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2024, and it’s the Betfred Derby winner City of Troy who’s earned a co-second 123 Ranking.
Now joining the Dubai Sheem Classic winner Rebel’s Romance on 123, who has since won the Hong Kong Champions and Charter Cup, and formally The Amir Trophy in Doha.
Still unchallenged on 128 is the 8½ length Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River, while City of Troy had any May WBR Ranking dashed when finishing a dismal ninth in the 2000 Guineas.
Entering this 2024 Racing Season as last year’s European Champion Juvenile, City of Troy ‘silenced all doubters’ when rounding Tattenham Corner to score by 2¾ length over Ambient Friendly.
However, with Coolmore saying his unbeaten Triple Crown winning sire Justify ‘is becoming one of the all-time great stallions,’ it news that Justify stands permately at Ashford Stud, Kentucky
In no longer shuttling to Coolmore Australia, Justify currently is Australia’s third Leading Sire of 2yo’s and third as Second Crop Sire, while at the Yearling Sales two colts each made $1.3 million.
In being the undefeated European 2YO Champion in winning the Dewhurst Stakes, he’s the close family of the Prix Jean Prat winner and sire Lord Shanakill, and Oaks winner Forever Together.
Half-brother to Gr3 winner Military Style and stakes-placed winners Absolute Ruler and King of Athens, he’s from Gr1 winning Galileo mare Together Forever, tracing to Spanish Fren, Hearts of Fire.
With National Treasure, Notable Speech and Senor Buscador holding their 121 Rankings, its dual Hong Kong Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior who moves up to 121 in winning the Yasuda Kinen.
The Mooresbridge Stakes winner White Birch joins the 121 Rankings following a 3 length victory over Auguste Rodin in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, while another improver is I Wish I Win up to 120.
Again, it’s the Australian who continue to dominate the World’s Best Sprinters, with I Wish I Win now taking over from Prime Thoroughbred’s newly retired 120 Rated season leader Private Eye.
The Steve Asmussman trained Cogburn joins I Wish I Win on 120 as the World’s Best Sprinter and top WBR Turf Sprinter on winner of the Jaipur Stakes presented by Resolute Racing at Saratoga.
Also for Australia, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Pride of Jenny maintains her 120 World Best Immediate Turf Female rating, and is joined on 120 by Prix du Jockey-Club hero Look de Vega.
However, it was ‘historical news’ that Coolmore announced City of Troy would not contest this Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, and is now the $1.40 favorite for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes of 1¼ mile.
In also being at $7 in betting with Ladbrokes for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, he’s now a $4 new entry for the Juddmonte International and $5 favourite with betting apps for the Prix de l’Arc de triomphe.
Back at The Curragh, and it’s Newmarket based James Fanshawe who has Epsom Derby second Ambiente Friendly as $2.35 co-favourite, again in the hands of Rober Calvin starting in Gate 6.
Earlier winning the Lingfield Derby Trial and over 7 furlongs at two, he races in the yellow, black and white of 91 year-old Bill Gredley and Family, and is by dual 2000 Guineas winner Gleneagles.
In being a 80,000 Gns Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale buy and 25,000 Gns 2022 Tattersalls October Yearling, he’s from the winning Fastnet mare Roxity, family of Group 1 Wannabee Grand.
With $2.35 co-favourite Los Angeles being the best of Aiden O’Brien’s four runners, and jumping from 3 in a field of 8, he’ll be ridden by Ryan Moore for the Westerberg Coolmore partnership.
In being sired by Montjou’s great Derby winning sire Camelot, he was a 340,000 Gns 2022 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale graduate, being family of the Prix du Jockey-Club winner Annabaa Blue.
