JUST A WAY RETAINS LONGINES CROWN
Japan's Just A Way (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) retained his position atop the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings when the latest edition of those ratings were released yesterday. The 5-year-old earned a mark of 130 for his 6 1/4-length victory in the G1 Dubai Duty Free Mar. 29, and Just A Way added the G1 Yasuda Kinen next out in his return to Japan June 8. He finished eighth when stretching out to 12 furlongs for the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Oct. 5.
A quartet of runners share second billing with a mark of 126, including the European sophomore trio of Australia (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Dual South African Horse of the Year Variety Club (SAf) (Var) is the fourth of the group to hit 126, a mark that was achieved when he won the G1 Champions Mile in Hong Kong May 4 in his final career start.
Progressing up the rankings from 121 to 125 is Bayern (Offlee Wild), who wired the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 1. He shares his mark with G1 Deutsches Derby winner Sea the Moon (Ger) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Treve (Fr)(Motivator {GB}), who on Oct. 5 became just the second horse to win the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe twice.
California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) achieved a mark of 124 for his third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Classic, equaling the figures he achieved in winning the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S. Six are tied with California Chrome at that mark: Arc runner-up Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}), Game on Dude (Awesome Again), Japan's Gold Ship (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}), GI Investec Oaks and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II S. heroine Taghrooda (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Classic runner-up Toast of New York (Thewayyouare).
In another notable division shake-up, G1 Darley Classic winner Terravista (Aus) (Captain Rio {GB}) has moved into joint leadership, with compatriot Lankan Rupee (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), of the sprinting division with a mark of 123.
For the full Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, click here.
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