Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe named Longines World’s Best Horse Race
The Swiss watchmaking brand Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) were proud to distinguish the 2017 top racehorses and horse race during a ceremony held at the iconic Claridge’s Hotel in London. On this occasion, the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was awarded, for the second time, the 2017 Longines World’s Best Horse Race title with a 126.25 rating. It was also the inaugural winner of this title in 2015. 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 International Federation
Longines and its long-time partner the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) celebrated their common passion for horseracing with the very much-awaited Longines World’s Best Racehorse and Longines World’s Best Horse Race Awards Ceremony.
The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe claimed the title of 2017 Longines World’s Best Horse Race. Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club General Manager, Nasser bin Sherida Al Kaabi, France Galop President, Edouard de Rothschild, and France Galop General Manager were in London to accept the award. The Arc was also the inaugural winner of the Longines World’s Best Horse Race Award in 2015.
The Longines World’s Best Horse Race Award recognizes 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
Best Racehorse Award
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 Vas
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 worl