The August edition of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings is out and its Field of Gold and Ombudsman who maintain the lead with Forever Youn on 127.
Both Field of Gold and Ombudsman were very impressive in winning at Royal Ascot, with Field of Gold taking out the St James’s Palace Stakes to head the World M Turf rankings, up from 123.
Having come into race on winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas, he was previously third in the 2000 Guineas as the race hot-favourite for owner-breeder Juddmonte and trainers John and Thady Gosden.
Ombudsman rose to the Top 127 I Turf ranking in defeating Anmaat, 123, by 2 lengths in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and then a neck second to Delacroix, 126, in the Coral-Eclipse.
Having led the World’s Ranking and the Top M Dirt ratings since the first March edition, Forever Young ran down Romantic Warrior, now 126, to win an exciting Saudi Cup, with Ushba Tesoro third.
Delacroix, 126, has joined the rankings in the co-fourth position off that Coral-Eclipse effort, with Ruling Court, 122, 1¾ lengths back in third, and Camille Pissaro, 120, a head away in fourth.
Also holding their 126 ranking is the Hong Kong sprint champion Ka Ying Rising, who won 12 consecutive races including the Chairman’s Sprint Prize and Romantic Warrior for second in the Saudi Cup.
Four horses are on 125 with Sovereignty winning the Kentucky Derby, Calandagan the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Jan Brughel for the Coronation Cup and Danon Decile the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Sierra Leone, 120, who was last year’s US Champion 3YO Male, returned with a length victory in the Whitney Stakes having finished second to Mindframe, 120, in the Stephen Foster Stakes.
Whirl was ranked 120 for winning the Nassau Stakes and earlier the Pretty Polly Stakes over Kalpana, 120, while Sajir, 120, defeated Lazzat, 120, in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, and won the Abernant.
In addition, the 10th International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses to be held as part of 41st Asian Racing Conference annual conference on 9 February 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With the 41st Asian Racing Conference to take place in Riyadh on 9 – 14 February 2026 its the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia which is the host of this conference for the first time.
“Hosting IFAR alongside the 41st Asian Racing Conference offers a unique opportunity to honour the roots of our industry while shaping its future,” said the IFHA Chair Dr Eliot Forbes.
“We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and the Asian Racing Federation to continue driving global collaboration and progress in Thoroughbred aftercare.”
IFAR 2026 will feature a lineup of international speakers who will address a wide range of topics relating to the aftercare of racehorses, with attendance complimentary for AR Conference delegates.
Through a mix of presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, the annual conference fosters global collaboration and encourages practical, forward-thinking approaches to aftercare.
“The IFAR conference represents the global aftercare community uniting in our commitment to ensuring the welfare of retired racehorses,” said Natasha Rose, the IFAR Conference Committee Chair.
“As we gather in this vibrant and culturally rich nation, we aim to foster dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders from various sectors, including racing organisations and equine professionals.”
“By exchanging knowledge and experiences, we can inspire actionable change that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of retired racehorses long after their racing days are over.”
