Global stars shine, Aussies fade in 2025 rankings

If you’re a proud Australian racing fan and taking any stock in the Longines World Rankings, look away now.

The ranking system for the world’s best horses – and races – was released overnight. Not that some will care, but it ain’t pretty reading for the Australians.

The Memsie Stakes ranking alongside the time honoured Cox Plate? And our top horse, according to the ratings, is Antino?

There is no surprise that the star gelding Calandagan is ranked number 1 in the world with a rating of 130 given his phenomenal 2025 with multiple Group 1s in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Champion Stakes and the Japan Cup.

Nor those that follow him including Japanese star Forever Young following his globe-trotting success and of course Hong Kong sprint sensation Ka Ying Rising, who are both ranked 2^nd, alongside Masquerade Ball, Ombusdsman and Sovereignty with a rating of 128.

Cox Plate champion and Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior was ranked 7^th with a rating of 127.

The closest Australia came to a mention near the top was the inclusion of locally bred Voyage Bubble ranked number 22 with a rating of 121.

Australia’s highest rated horse, still actually racing, was the Tony Gollan gelding Antino, ranked number 36 with a rating of 120, alongside the Australia Bloodstock owned Al Riffa at 36, rated 120. Via Sistina also came in at number 36, who was retired on Sunday.

Buckeroo, Jimmystar and Ceowulf are ranked at 53 rated at 119, ahead of Briasa at 71 rated 118. Also ranked 71^st are the injured Mr Brightside, Pride of Jenni and Sir Delius.

You can look through the full list here.

The top ranked races isn’t too much prettier for local interests.

Australia’s best sprint race, The Everest, is ranked equal 16^th with a rating of 121.

The top races globally, with a rating of 126.5, is the Japan Cup and the Champions Stakes in Ascot, closely followed by the Breeders’ Cup and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, both rated 125.

Back home, the Makybe Diva Stakes rated 121 making it the 26^th best, followed by the Cox Plate, Memsie Stakes and Turnbull Stakes all ranked 32 with a rating of 119.25.

Yes – the Memsie Stakes rated the same as the Cox Plate.

The Winx Stakes came in at 35 and the Queen Elizabeth at 47. The Melbourne Cup didn’t make the top 100. You can see the full list here.