The equestrian world witnessed a rare occurrence as two exceptional thoroughbreds, City Of Troy and Laurel River, shared the pinnacle of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2024.

This prestigious accolade, which recognises the finest performances in global horse racing was last tied in a similar scenario in 2019.

City Of Troy, trained by the renowned Aidan O’Brien, and Laurel River, under the tutelage of Bhupat Seemar, both achieved an impressive rating of 128. This joint honour underscores the exceptional calibre of both horses and their significant impact on the racing calendar of 2024.

The Rise of City Of Troy

City of TroyCity Of Troy’s ascent to the top of the rankings was marked by a series of stellar performances on the turf. The son of Justify, hailed by O’Brien as potentially the finest horse he has ever trained, showcased his prowess with victories in three of Britain’s most prestigious races.

The colt’s journey to greatness began with a commanding victory in the Betfred Derby at Epsom. This Classic triumph not only fulfilled the expectations of his breeding but also solidified his status as a top-tier racehorse.

Following his Derby victory, City Of Troy demonstrated his versatility by clinching the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. While this performance was described as more workmanlike, it nevertheless highlighted the horse’s ability to compete successfully across different tracks and distances.

The pinnacle of City Of Troy’s campaign came at York’s Juddmonte International. In what was described by his regular jockey Ryan Moore as “probably the best performance that I’d ever been involved with on a racehorse”, the colt made all to comprehensively defeat his rivals, including the highly-rated Calandagan.

Laurel River’s Path to Glory

Laurel RiverWhile City Of Troy dominated on turf, Laurel River made his mark on artificial surfaces, particularly at Meydan in the early months of 2024.

Owned by Juddmonte, Laurel River’s crowning achievement came in the Dubai World Cup. Following victories in two Group Three races, the son of Into Mischief delivered a spectacular performance in this prestigious event, besting a strong international field that included Japan’s Ushba Tesoro and American contender Senor Buscador by an impressive margin of over eight lengths.

Despite not racing after his Dubai World Cup victory in March, Laurel River’s performance was of such high calibre that it secured his position atop the rankings for the remainder of the year. This achievement holds particular significance for Juddmonte, as Laurel River is one of the last horses bred under the direction of the late Prince Khalid Abdullah.

Other Notable Performances

While City Of Troy and Laurel River shared the spotlight, several other horses delivered remarkable performances throughout the year.

Via Sistina’s Stellar Year

Australian mare Via Sistina claimed third place in the rankings with a rating of 127. Trained by Chris Waller, she secured five Group One victories during the calendar year, including a dominant win in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

Goliath’s King George Upset

Goliath’s surprise victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at odds of 25/1 earned him fourth place in the rankings with a rating of 126. This triumph over subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking and multiple Group One victor Rebel’s Romance was one of the year’s most memorable upsets.

A Cluster of Excellence

The fifth spot in the rankings saw a five-way tie, with Calandagan, Sierra Leone, Fierceness, Do Deuce, and Romantic Warrior all achieving a rating of 125. This group represents a diverse array of talent from across the globe, highlighting the truly international nature of top-level horse racing.

The Juddmonte International: World’s Best Horserace

Juddmonte Stakes
From Juddmonte Farms

In addition to celebrating individual equine achievements, the Longines World’s Best Horserace title was awarded to the Juddmonte International for the second time. This recognition further cements the race’s status as one of the most prestigious events in the global racing calendar.

The 2024 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings provided a fitting tribute to an exceptional year of horse racing. The joint victory of City Of Troy and Laurel River, along with the outstanding performances of their peers, showcased the depth of talent in the sport and the continued evolution of thoroughbred excellence. As the racing world looks ahead, these achievements will undoubtedly serve as benchmarks for future generations of equine athletes.

You May Also Like