What Is 2020 World's Best Racehorse Rankings

Overview

The 2020 World's Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR) is an annual assessment of the top-performing Thoroughbred racehorses globally, based on their performances in elite flat races throughout the year. Administered by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the rankings reflect a consensus from official handicappers across 15+ racing nations.

This ranking system provides a standardized method to compare equine athletes across different continents, race conditions, and surfaces. Released in January 2021, the 2020 edition crowned Japan’s Almond Eye as the world’s best with a peak rating of 127, the highest ever for a filly or mare in the modern era.

• Almond Eye achieved her 127 rating after winning the Japan Cup in November 2020, defeating top male competitors and earning international acclaim.
• The rankings are based on a horse’s best single performance during the year, not season-long consistency or total earnings.
• Horses from 12 countries were represented in the 2020 rankings, including Japan, the United States, Ireland, and Great Britain.
• The IFHA uses a panel of international handicappers who assign ratings using a common scale, ensuring comparability across regions.
• Only flat races of Group 1 or Grade 1 status are considered, excluding jump racing, harness racing, and lower-tier competitions.

How It Works

The WBRR system relies on expert evaluation rather than automated metrics, ensuring nuanced judgment of race quality, competition level, and track conditions. Each participating nation submits its top performances, which are then reviewed and calibrated to a unified standard.

• Rating Scale: The system uses a point scale where 120 is considered the benchmark for a top-class horse, with each point representing a margin of superiority.
• Performance Basis: Only a horse’s single best race is used, meaning consistency across multiple races does not influence the final ranking.
• Global Panel: Handicappers from IFHA member nations meet annually to debate and finalize the rankings through consensus.
• Eligibility: Only horses aged three years and older competing in officially recognized Group/Grade 1 flat races are eligible for inclusion.
• Track Adjustments: Ratings are adjusted for track condition, altitude, and race distance to ensure fair comparisons across venues.
• Dead Heat Rule: Horses with identical peak performances receive the same rating and are listed alphabetically in case of ties.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the top five horses in the 2020 WBRR, highlighting national representation, peak ratings, and key races:

The table shows that Japan dominated the top spot, while European and American contenders closely followed. Almond Eye’s victory was particularly notable as she defeated males in a mixed-gender race, a rare feat for a mare. The narrow point gaps between top horses indicate highly competitive global racing standards in 2020.

Why It Matters

The WBRR serves as a vital benchmark in international horse racing, influencing breeding value, race invitations, and historical legacy. Its outcomes shape how owners, trainers, and fans perceive equine excellence on a global stage.

• Almond Eye’s 127 rating elevated Japan’s status in global racing, highlighting the strength of its domestic racing program.
• High rankings increase a stallion or broodmare’s market value, often by millions in stud fees.
• Trainers use the rankings to target future races against proven international competition.
• The rankings help identify emerging racing powers beyond traditional leaders like the U.S. and UK.
• Historical comparisons allow fans and analysts to debate all-time greats across generations.
• Media outlets reference the WBRR to frame narratives around 'horse of the year' discussions.

Ultimately, the 2020 rankings underscored the increasing globalization of Thoroughbred racing and the rising competitiveness of non-Western nations, setting a new standard for future evaluations.