As the result of his dominant victory in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), EQUINOX (JPN) [129] has taken the top position in the second edition of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2023.

LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings

Leading Horses
Rank Horse Rating Trained
1 EQUINOX (JPN) 129 JPN
2 GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS) 125 HK
3 TITLEHOLDER (JPN) 124 JPN
4 LUCKY SWEYNESSE (NZ) 123 HK
4 ROMANTIC WARRIOR (IRE) 123 HK
6 CALIFORNIA SPANGLE (IRE) 122 HK
6 DUBAI HONOUR (IRE) 122 GB
6 USHBA TESORO (JPN) 122 JPN
9 ART COLLECTOR (USA) 121 USA
9 I WISH I WIN (NZ) 121 AUS
9 MOSTAHDAF (IRE) 121 GB

Equinox, who ended 2022 as the co-third highest rated horse in the world, was making his first start of the year in the Dubai Sheema Classic, which he won by 3 ½ lengths over WESTOVER (GB) [120]. Never truly challenged during the race, Equinox set a course record of 2:25.65 for the 2,410-meter contest.

Multiple other horses also impressed in Dubai, including USHBA TESORO (JPN) [122], who raised his rating to 122 from 117 with his victory in the Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1). He defeated ALGIERS (IRE) [118] by 2 ¾ lengths, while EMBLEM ROAD (USA) [118] was a head back in third. Ushba Tesoro came into the race off of his win in the Kawasaki Kinen.

LORD NORTH (GB) [120], meanwhile, won his third consecutive Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (G1). He defeated DANON BELUGA (JPN) [119] by three-quarters of length, while NATIONS PRIDE (IRE) [118] was a head back in third. Lord North started his 2023 season with a victory in the BetUK Winter Derby Stakes (G3).

Additionally, DERMA SOTOGAKE (JPN) [118] impressed with his 5 1/2-length victory in the UAE Derby sponsored by Atlantis The Royal (G2).

Elsewhere, TITLEHOLDER (JPN) [124] began his 2023 campaign with an eight-length victory in the Nikkei Sho (G2) and now holds the third position in the latest rankings.

LUCKY SWEYNESSE (NZ) [123] has moved into the co-fourth position after defeating CALIFORNIA SPANGLE (IRE) [122] in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (G1). In doing so, he improved his rating to 123 from 119. His other wins this year include the Centenary Sprint Cup (G1), Sprint Cup (G2), and Chinese Club Challenge Cup (G3).

Other horses to join the Top 10 include DUBAI HONOUR (IRE) [122] and I WISH I WIN (NZ) [121]. Dubai Honour took the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) by 2 ½ lengths over MO’UNGA (NZ) [117], while ANAMOE (AUS) [120] was a nose back in third. I Wish I Win claimed the Furphy T J Smith Stakes (G1) by a half-length over GIGA KICK (AUS) [119].