Anthony Oppenheimer's Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), the first horse to sweep the G2 Dante S., G1 Epsom Derby and G1 Coral-Eclipse S., has been given a rating of 130 by British Horseracing Authority handicapper Phil Smith. His new rating marks a rise of four points from the 126 he was assigned after the Derby.
Golden Horn joins Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) as the only British-trained 3-year-olds since 1996 to achieve a rating of 130. Frankel was given a mark of 130 after winning the G1 2000 Guineas, and rose to 135 by the end of his 3-year-old campaign and 140 upon the conclusion of his career. The Irish-trained Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) ended his career as a 3-year-old with a rating of 135.
“I would be disappointed if Golden Horn cannot go on and prove himself better than 130 as the season progresses, as he is clearly a fast-improving colt who on Saturday showed his versatility by making the running for the first time [in the Coral-Eclipse],” said Smith. “If agreed by the International Handicappers this week, it will make Golden Horn the highest-rated horse in the world so far this year.”
Smith added, “Life will become harder for Golden Horn as the 3-year-old weight-for-age allowance reduces by two pounds per month across each distance as the season progresses, but I have little doubt that he will be able to take that in his stride and continue to show that he is equally effective at 10 furlongs and 12 furlongs.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
