Racelab’s Top 10 Sprinters of the modern era: Black Caviar or Ka Ying Rising?

RACELAB Performance Ratings standardise horse performances across the world. The Performance Rating reflects actual horse performance and typically may be more volatile than official handicap ratings. The RACELAB rating scale has origins in the HKJC race classification system.

The comparative RACELAB ratings range is outlined below. The below performance racing guide gives an indication as to the rating required to reach each benchmark:

Recency bias would have many punters and pundits alike singing the praises of Hong Kong’s superstar, Ka Ying Rising, but where does he sit in relation to modern sprinting champions?

1 Black Caviar (AUS) 25: 25-0-0 A$7,953,936 | Peter Moody

An undefeated Australian champion mare with a perfect 25 wins from 25 starts, an Australian record including 15 Group One (G1) victories. She was named the WTRR World Champion Sprinter for four consecutive years (2010-2013) and solidified her international status with a win in the G1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in the UK. Her dominance and fan following were immense.

Best Racelab ratings:

118.2 (JTD 108.7) Patinack Farm Classic , 06/11/2010, Flemington 1200m, 1st 4L, Ben Melham 56.5kg

118.0 (JTD 108.7) Newmarket Handicap G1, 12/3/2011, Flemington 1200m, 1st 3.0L, Luke Nolen 58.0kg

116.0 (JTD 108.7) Lightning Stakes G1, 19/2/2011, Flemington 1000m, 1st 3.25L, Luke Nolen 56.5kg

WATCH: Black Caviar win the Lightning Stakes in track record time

2 Lord Kanaloa (JPN) 19: 13-5-1 US$9,836,845 | Takayuki Yasuda

Regarded as the greatest Japanese sprint horse of all time, he had a career record of 13 wins, 5 seconds, and 1 third from 19 starts. He secured six consecutive G1 victories to end his career, highlighted by back-to-back wins in the Hong Kong Sprint (G1) in 2012 and 2013. He was named Japanese Horse of the Year in 2013.

Best Racelab ratings:

115.8 (JTD 110.5) The Hong King Sprint G1, 8/12/2013, Sha Tin 1200m, 1st 5L, Yasunari Iwata 57.0kg

112.9 (JTD 110.5) The Hong King Sprint G1, 9/12/2012, Sha Tin 1200m, 1st 2.5L, Yasunari Iwata 57.0kg

111.9 (JTD 110.5) The Takamatsunomiya Kinen G1, 24/3/2013, Chukyo 1200m, 1st 1.25L, Yasunari Iwata 57.0kg

WATCH: Lord Kanaloa’s dominant Hong Kong Sprint victory

3 Battaash (GB) 25: 13-2-3 £1,774,180 | Charlie Hills

A European sprinting sensation, known for his blistering speed, especially over five furlongs (1000m). He won the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes in 2019 in track record time and was the world’s top-rated sprinter that year. He won four G1 races in total and held a high performance rating.

Best Racelab ratings:

115.4 (JTD 110.5) Nunthorpe Stakes G1, 23/8/2019, York 1006m, 1st 3.75L, Jim Crowley 62.0kg

114.9 (JTD 108.6) King George Qatar Stakes G2, 3/8/2018, Goodwood 1005m, 1st 4L, Jim Crowley 59.5kg

114.9 (JTD 110.5) Prix De L’Abbaye De Longchamp G1, 1/10/2017, Chantilly 1000m, 1st 4L, Jim Crowley 62.0kg

4 Nature Strip (AUS) 44: 22-8-1 A$20,755,008 | Chris Waller

A multiple Australian Racehorse of the Year and nine-time G1 winner with over A$20 million in earnings. His major wins include a historic three consecutive T.J. Smith Stakes (G1) titles, the 2021 The Everest (the world’s richest turf race), and a dominant 4.5-length victory in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2022, after which he was rated the world’s top sprinter.

Best Racelab ratings:

114.8 (JTD 110.5) King’s Stand Stakes G1, 14/6/2022, Royal Ascot 1005m, 1st 4.5L, James McDonald 60.5kg

113.9 (JTD 110.5) Darley Sprint Classic G1, 6/11/2019, Flemington 1200m, 1st 3.3L, James McDonald 58.5kg

113.9 (JTD 110.5) Darley Sprint Classic G1, 6/11/2021, Flemington 1200m, 1st 3.25L, James McDonald 58.5kg

WATCH: Nature Strip’s King’s Stand demolition

5 Ka Ying Rising (AUS) 18: 16-2-0 HK$103,899,900 | David Hayes

The current top ranked sprinter in the world as of late 2025, campaigned primarily in Hong Kong. He boasts an exceptional career record with 16 wins from 18 starts, including a sweep of the Hong Kong Speed Series and a win in The Everest in 2025. He is known for his raw, repeatable speed and tactical versatility.

Best Racelab ratings:

114.7  (JTD 110.5) The Centenary Sprint Cup G1, 19/1/2025, Sha Tin 1200m, 1st 3.3L, Zac Purton 57.0kg

114.5 (JTD 112.3) The Hksar Chief Executive’s Cup C1. 7/9/2025, Sha Tin 1200m, 1st 2.3L, Zac Purton 61.0kg

112.9 (JTD 110.5) The Chairman’s Sprint Prize G1, 27/4/2025, Sha Tin 1200m, 1st 2.3L, Zac Purton 57.0kg

WATCH: Ka Ying Rising win the Centenary Sprint Cup

6 Harry Angel (GB) 12: 5-4-0 £873,504 | Clive Cox

A top-class European sprinter who was crowned the world’s top-rated sprinter and Cartier Champion Sprinter in 2017. His major G1 victories included the July Cup and the Haydock Sprint Cup, showcasing brilliant form in elite company.

Best Racelab ratings:

114.6 (JTD 109.6) Haydock Sprint Cup G1, 9/11/2017, Haydock 1207m, 1st 4L, Adam Kirby 57.5kg

111.7 (JTD 109) Duke Of York Stakes G2, 18/5/2018, York 1207m, 1st 2L, Adam Kirby 63kg

110.8 (JTD 107.9) Darley July Cup Stakes G1, 15/7/2017, Newmarket 1207m, 1st 1.25L, Adam Kirby 57kg

7 Golden Pal (USA) 13: 8-2-0 US$1,825,131 | Wesley A Ward

An American turf sprinter known for his explosive gate speed. He was a two-time Breeders’ Cup winner (Juvenile Turf Sprint and Turf Sprint) and set a course record in the 2021 Turf Sprint at Del Mar, a performance widely considered one of the best in the race’s history.

Best Racelab ratings:

114.4 (JTD 110.7) Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint G1, 6/11/2021, Del Mar 1006m, 1st 1.3L, Irad Ortiz Jnr 56kg

113.4 (JTD 108.9) Shakertown Stakes G2, 9/4/2022, Keenland 1106m, 1st 4.8L, Irad Ortiz Jnr 56kg

109.9 (JTD 108.9) Woodford Stakes. G2, 8/10/2022, Keenland 1106m, 1st 1.5L, Irad Ortiz Jnr 56kg

8 Santa Ana Lane (AUS) 44: 10-4-5 Prizemoney: A$8,236,336 | Anthony and Sam Freedman

Champion Australian sprinter, a big bay gelding known for his powerful finishes, winning five Group 1 races (including the TJ Smith Stakes, Stradbroke Handicap) and over $8 million AUD in prize money from 44 starts.

113.8 (JTD110.5) TJ Smith Stakes G1, 6/4/2019, Randwick 1200m, 1st 3.5L, Mark Zahra 58.5kg

111.6 (JTD110.5) VRC Sprint Classic G1. 10/11/2018, Flemington 1200m, 1st 0.3L, Mark Zahra 58.5kg

110.6 (JTD110.5) Premiere Stakes G1, 29/9/2018, Randwick 1200m, 1st 0.2L, Ben Melham 58.5kg

9 Hay List (AUS) 28: 15-6-0 A$2,559,575 | John McNair

Hay List was a brilliantly talented and charismatic sprinter, recording 15 wins from 28 starts and earning more than $2.5 million in prizemoney. His resumé featured three Group 1 triumphs: the Manikato Stakes (2010), the All Aged Stakes (2011), and the Newmarket Handicap (2012).

He is best remembered for his fierce rivalry with the legendary Black Caviar, finishing runner-up to her in four Group 1 contests. Time and again, Hay List pushed the unbeaten champion to her limits—most memorably in the 2011 T.J. Smith Stakes, where he surged three lengths clear before Black Caviar reeled him in late.

113.7 (JTD 110.5) All Aged Stakes G1, 23/4/2011, Randwick 1400m, 1st 3.3L, Glen Boss 59kg

113.1 (JTD 110.5) Manikato Stakes G1, 24/9/2010, Moonee Valley 1200m, 1st 2.5L, Glyn Schofield 58.5kg

112 (JTD 111) Newmarket Handicap G1, 10/3/2012, Flemington 1200m, 1st 0.1L, Glyn Schofield 58.5kg

10 Chautauqua (AUS) 32:13-7-4 A$8,821,935 | Michael & Wayne & John Hawkes

Chautauqua, nicknamed “The Grey Flash,” was a champion Australian racehorse known for his spectacular last-to-first winning style. He amassed over A$8.8 million in prizemoney and retired after famously refusing to leave the starting gates in several trials.

Best Racelab ratings:

113.4 (JTD 110.5) Manikato Stakes G1, 23/10/2015, Moonee Valley 1200m, 1st 2L, Tommy Berry 58.5kg

112.8 (JTD 110.5) TJ Smith Stakes G1, 2/4/2016, Randwick, 1st 2L, Tommy Berry 58.5kg

111.5 (JTD 110.5) The Chairman’s Sprint Prize G1, Sha Tin 1200m, 1st 0.3L, Tommy Berry 58.5kg

WATCH: Chautauqua win the Manikato Stakes

Honorable mentions:

Lankan Rupee (AUS) 29: 11-4-5 A$4,129,510 | Mick Price

A tough and consistent Australian champion sprinter who won multiple G1 races, including the Newmarket Handicap, Oakleigh Plate, and G1 Lightning Stakes in consecutive starts in early 2014. He was known for his competitive attitude and ability to sustain speed under pressure.

Best Racelab ratings:

113.1 (JTD 110.5) TJ Smith Stakes G1, 12/4/2014, Randwick 1200m, 1st 2L, Craig Newitt 58.5kg

Buffering (AUS) 54: 20-9-8 A$7,300,194 | Rob Heathcote

A very durable and popular Australian gelding who competed at the highest level for many seasons. He won seven G1 sprints, primarily in Australia, proving a tough competitor with a long and successful career against some of the era’s best, including Black Caviar.

Best Racelab ratings:

112.1 (JTD 110.5) Al Quoz Sprint G1, 26/3/2016, Meydan 1000m, 1st 0.75L, Damian Browne 57kg

Disco Partner (USA) 33: 11-6-8 US$1,487,560 | Cristophe Clement

A specialist American turf sprinter who set a six-furlong (about 1200m) world record time in the 2017 G1 Jaipur Stakes at Belmont Park, demonstrating exceptional speed on U.S. turf tracks.

Best Racelab ratings:

108.8 (JTD 108.1) Jaipur Invitational Stakes G2, 9/6/2018, Belmont Park 1207m, 1st 1L, Irad Ortiz Jnr 55kg

Legend: