How the world rankings failed Via Sistina – and Australian racing

Via Sistina won six Group 1 races in 2025, all of which were in the world’s top 100 races, yet she is not in the top 50 horses according to the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings.

She won more Group 1s than any other horse in the world, but Australian racing is not good enough for her to be considered among the world’s best.

Such is the flawed system, where international handicappers rate performances and have failed to appreciate a star.

There is no doubt King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Japan Cup hero Calandagan is the best horse in the world, as he has built on an excellent 2024.

Via Sistina was rated the third best horse in the world in 2024 and if the mare’s allowance was taken into account, her Cox Plate romp was clearly the best performance of the year.

However, the rating of 127, from the record-breaking win at the Valley, hasn’t been matched in 2025 but how has Via Sistina has dropped at least eight points.

That simply doesn’t make sense.

There are races on the ratings that appear protected, and the fact that Via Sistina came from Europe as a Group 1 winner, rated 117, and has improved under the care of Chris Waller might play against her.

But is there something more at work as Australia only has one horse in the top 50, Antino from his Doomben Cup, in 2025.

Yes, Antino is our best horse, but with due respect he wouldn’t be in the top five.

He rated 120 for that run, which is the cut-off for the top 50.

It is the worst performance for Australian racing internationally in the past six years. Australia usually produces a handful of horses that get above the 120 mark.

Looking back, 2020 was the poorest performance internationally when only four horses were 120 and above in Australia. Since there has been eight, eight, nine, and six in 2024, above the magical mark in the end of the year rankings.

It would be hard for Via Sistina to hold her 127, as it was an enormous career peak, but she has been punished for racing in Australia.

If you look at the ranking list, it is full of horses that return from 2024, but none have had the consistent performances of Via Sistina.

Sierra Leone went up from 125 in 2024 to 126 for his only win in the Whitney at Saratoga. Fierceness maintained a 125 mark winning two of his five starts, including the Pacific Classic, the race made famous by Flightline.

Godolphin warhorse Rebel’s Romance won four of his seven runs and dropped from 123 to 121, while French gelding Goliath had one win at Group 3 level in six runs to go from 126 to 120 internationally.

The problem for Australian racing is that the ratings decide the top 100 races. That leads to World Pool coverage and extra funds pouring into the country.

In 2024, Australia had seven races in the Top 25, it might be lucky to be two in 2025.

Horses likes Ceolwulf, which has won two Top 100 races stays under 120 rating, even though he defended his King Charles Stakes crown.

Emerging talents like Jimmysstar and Autumn Glow have not been recognised.

The roll-on effect makes it hard for Australian horses to get ratings that are considered elite.

Australian racing is on the edge of a golden era with an outstanding group of three and four-year-olds, including Tentyris, Tempted, Lady Shenandoah, and Treasurethe Moment.

So, it is hard to work out why Australian racing had such a poor year in the view of the handicappers.