Keen Ice, Beholder Join Rankings

While the defeats of American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) and Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire})–the two highest-rated horses on the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings at 131 and 130, respectively–in August led to no changes at the top of the rankings, a handful of standout performances, particularly from American runners, means a few new names appear on the latest edition of the rankings released Thursday. Keen Ice (Curlin) enters with a mark of 123 for his upset victory over American Pharoah in the GI Travers S. while Beholder (Henny Hughes), who destroyed males in winning the GI Pacific Classic, earned a rating of 121. A pair of sprinters–the U.S.-based Private Zone (Macho Uno) and Britain’s Mecca’s Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire})–earned a mark of 121 for Grade/Group 1 sprint wins last month.

Rounding out the top five behind American Pharoah and Golden Horn are Hong Kong’s Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) and America’s Shared Belief (Candy Ride {Arg}) at 125; and French representatives Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) and Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) at 124. For the full rankings list, click here.