Qatar’s growing stature on the global racing scene was acknowledged in no uncertain terms yesterday with the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winning the 2017 Longines World’s Best Horse Race award at a gala function held at the iconic Claridge’s Hotel in London.
This is the second time the race is winning the prestigious honour, following its success at the inaugural awards in 2015.
Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club General Manager Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi, France Galop President Edouard de Rothschild and General Manager Olivier Delloye were in London to accept the prize. The awards were adjudged jointly by Swiss watchmaking brand Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)
The Longines World’s Best Racehorse title went – for the second year in a row – to the American colt Arrogate with a rating of 134. The Australian mare Winx took second place with 132, followed by Cracksman (GB) and Gun Runner (USA), who were tied at 130.
The Longines World’s Best Horse Race Award recognises the highest rated race of all the Group 1 international races, with the ratings of the top four finishers in each race serving as basis for the assessment.
American Thoroughbred and 2016 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Arrogate set himself apart again in 2017 with a rating of 134 and was given the prestigious Longines World’s Best Racehorse Award for the second consecutive year. Arrogate’s owner Juddmonte Farms Inc., represented by Lord Teddy Grimthorpe, and trainer Bob Baffert were presented with an iconic Longines Equus Crystal Vase.
Australian mare Winx, who occupied third place in 2016, was honoured as the second highest-rated horse with a rating of 132 in 2017. Currently the richest horse in Australian history and the highest rated turf horse in the world, she won all nine of her starts in 2017. Winx’s regular jockey, Hugh Bowman, claimed the 2017 Longines World’s Best Jockey title, a recognition he received last December during the Longines Hong Kong International Races Gala Dinner.
Third place was taken by both Cracksman (GB) and Gun Runner (USA) with a rating of 130. Cracksman earned his rating in the QIPCO Champion Stakes, timed by Longines. His primary jockey, Frankie Dettori, received the Longines World’s Best Jockey Award in 2015. Gun Runner’s victories in 2017 include the Breeders’ Cup Classic, a feat timed by the Swiss watch brand, the Official Timekeeper of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
The Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are determined by international handicappers according to the performance of horses around the world.
Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club General Manager Nasser bin Sherida al-Kaabi (centre) receiving the award along with France Galop President Edouard de Rothschild (left) and General Manager Olivier Delloye in London yesterday.
