Ahead of Breeders' Cup, Flightline Tops World Rankings

Undefeated Flightline , pointed toward the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) Nov. 5 at Keeneland, continues to lead the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2022 through races of Oct. 9.

With a rating of 139, TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) and Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner Flightline is four points ahead of second-place Baaeed , undefeated winner of four group 1 stakes this year. That pair is well ahead of every other horse in the rankings.

Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings (click for complete rankings)

Rank    Horse    Rating    Trained

1    Flightline    139    USA

2    Baaeed (GB)    135    GB

3    Nature Strip     126    AUS

4    Epicenter     125    USA

4    Life Is Good      125    USA

4    Vadeni     125    FR

7    Kyprios     124    IRE

7    Pyledriver     124    GB

7    Titleholder     124    JPN

7    Torquator Tasso     124    GER

Kyprios improved his rating to 124 from 120 following his explosive, 20-length victory in the Qatar Prix du Cadran (G1). He is undefeated in six starts in 2022. 

Alpinista  earned a rating of 123, just outside of the top 10, after she defeated Vadeni, Torquator Tasso, and Al Hakeem  (121) in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) to earn her rating. She is 3-for-3 this year, with her other victories coming in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1). Alpinista, who has won her past eight races, has not lost since September 2020.

In North America, Modern Games  (122) impressed with his victory by 5 1/4 lengths in the Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1) to join the rankings. Earlier this season, he won the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) in France. He meets Inspiral  in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes Sponsored by Qipco (G1) at Ascot Oct. 15.

Taiba  (122) also has joined the rankings following his three-length score in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1). In April, he won the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1).

The Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.