Peter Snowden is proud of Sepoy’s high standing in the World Thoroughbred Rankings but is hoping for even bigger things in 2012.
Sepoy, with a rating of 123, capped a stellar year by being named the world’s best three-year-old sprinter for 2011 by the International Federation of Horse Authorities, which released its rankings in London on Tuesday.
Champion mare Black Caviar, with a rating of 132, was lauded as the world’s top sprinter for the second straight year while Atlantic Jewel (121) was rated champion three-year-old filly in the intermediate distance range, equal with France’s Immortal Verse.
“It’s great and I’m very proud of it,” Snowden said of Sepoy’s rating.
“It’s very, very pleasing to see for us and it’s great for Australian horses. Black Caviar, she was rated the best sprinter in the world so it says a lot for our racing.
“Mark Kavanagh’s filly (Atlantic Jewel) got a mention as well. That’s pretty good for three horses from Australia to get up in their category.
“It’s very pleasing for the breeding industry as well as the racing fraternity, because it just puts us up there on the map.
“But we’ve got more to do yet. We’re not finished yet.”
Snowden can’t fault Sepoy, his four-time Group One-winning colt, as he continues his preparations to take on the world later this year.
Sepoy is being aimed at the Dubai World Cup meeting in March and will line up in the Oakleigh Plate in Melbourne before he heads overseas.
“I’m very happy with him. He’s starting to do fast work so it won’t be long now,” Snowden said.
“He’ll probably trial in three or four weeks.
“Everything is ticking along well.”
AAP TURF
