Sierra Leone Longines’ Highest-Rated U.S.-Based Runner

Following a busy month of top-level racing around the world, there have been several changes to the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.

While Dubai World Cup (G1) victor Laurel River  retains the top spot as the world’s highest-rated horse with a rating of 128, Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) hero Sierra Leone  improved his rating to 125 from 120 with his 1 1/2-length score over Travers Stakes (G1) winner Fierceness  (123 rating). Victorious in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) in April and runner-up in the Kentucky Derby (G1), Sierra Leone shares the co-fourth position on the world rankings with Calandagan (IRE) and Goliath (IRE). A 3-year-old son of Gun Runner  , Sierra Leone is currently the highest-rated United States-based runner.

Australian super mare Via Sistina  is now the highest-rated filly/mare in the world, and the co-highest-rated turf horse in the world after recent victories in the Turnbull Stakes (G1), Cox Plate (G1), and Champions Stakes (G1). The 6-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock , a top-level winner from 7 furlongs to 1 1/4 miles, captured the Winx Stakes (G1) and Ranvet Stakes (G1) earlier this year. She shares highest-rated turf honors with City of Troy , a disappointing eighth in his dirt debut in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The Coolmore runner had landed three straight group 1 victories in Europe before racing at Del Mar. Both Via Sistina and City of Troy sport a 127 rating.

Rebel’s Romance , co-ranked in eighth with Fierceness and Economics , was awarded a rating of 123 following his second victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) Nov. 2 for Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby.

A complete list of the rankings can be viewed here.