Shared Belief is ranked No. 1 in the world in the IFHA's first rankings of the year. (Photos by Eclipse Sportswire)
In the first round of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) 2015 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, the United States was back on top with Shared Belief rated at 125.
This is the second consecutive year a United States-based gelding has started the year off on top of the standings with Game On Dude matching the 125 rating last year.
Shared Belief, owned by Jim Rome’s Jungle Racing, KMN Racing, Jerry Hollendorfer, Alex Solis II and George Todaro ended 2014 with a top rating of 123, good enough for 18th in the world. The gelding started his 2015 season much earlier than in 2014, beating dual classic winner California Chrome by 1 ½ lengths in the Feb. 7 San Antonio Stakes before a devastating romp in the March 7 Santa Anita Handicap.
Overall, six United States-based horses were ranked on the first list of the year, the most of any country on the list. Additionally, Il Campione, who was formerly based in Chile and earned a 118 rating for his early year performance in the country, has recently been sold to American interests and is in training with Chad Brown.
The United States can also boast about having the only Northern Hemisphere 3-year-old on the list as the undefeated Dortmund, a Kentucky Derby favorite is ranked 12th with a 118 rating.
Readers can see the full list by clicking here.
DORTMUND IS RANKED AS THE NO. 1 THREE-YEAR-OLD IN THE WORLD EARLY IN 2015