RACING: New Approach and Curlin shared top billing in the World Thoroughbred Rankings unveiled today at a ceremony in London.
Crowned champion two-year-old at the end of 2007, the Jim Bolger-trained New Approach enjoyed a tremendous year finishing runner-up to Henrythenavigator in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas before winning the Vodafone Derby at Epsom.
That was a special performance from the Galileo colt but he perhaps topped it when running away with the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket in October.
American superstar Curlin peaked with his stunning performance in the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba in March. A year older than New Approach, Steve Asmussen’s ace won three other Grade One events during the year but was beaten by Red Rocks when trying turf for the first time, and could only finish fourth to Raven’s Pass in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
New Approach and Curlin earned a figure of 130, 1lb in front of John Gosden’s Raven’s Pass, who became the first British-trained winner in the Classic’s history - and only the second European - when storming home under Frankie Dettori.
Unbeaten Arc heroine Zarkava is next in the list on a mark of 128, with Duke Of Marmalade on 127. Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown was given 125, the same as Ladbrokes St Leger and Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Conduit and Henrythenavigator.
Top juvenile rating went to Aidan O’Brien’s Mastercraftsman (122), winner of four of his five starts, with his sole defeat coming at Longchamp on Arc day. His conqueror Naaqoos was allotted a figure of 119.