LAMMTARRA was rewarded for his invincibility yesterday when he was named Europe's best a horse of 1995. His wins in the Epsom, Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe earned him a rating of 130 in the International Classifications.

But despite clinching a big race treble, last achieved 24 years before by the great Mill Reef he languishes 11lb below Dancing Brave, the highest rated horse since the records began.

During the last 10 years Reference Point 135, Warning 133, Old Vic and Zilzal 134, Dayjur 133, Generous 137 and St Jovite 135 have all been rated better champions.

But Lammtarra, who retired unbeaten in four starts, is considered only the equal of Zafonic and Balanchine, champions in the two preceding seasons, by the panel of handicappers.

He is 2lb inferior to the US star Cigar (132), who tops the world list, as the classifications fully embrace the European and North American form for the first time.

The decision to retire the Godolphin colt after such a brief career clearly counted against him but Britain's senior handicapper Geoffrey Gibbs argued it was impossible to rate Lammtarra any higher.

"There is a requirement within racing that we need heroes and I wouldn't disagree with that," he said. "Lammtarra was latched on to as being a hero and all sorts of comparisons were made, notably with Mill Reef, and I am afraid most of them were very wide of the mark.

"We are not damning Lammtarra in achieving what Balanchine did. But he hasn't in his life beaten a horse by more than a length. He was very courageous but never showed the brilliant turn of foot Cigar has shown time and time again.

"Cigar was five and it was a great sadness that Lammtarra will never be asked a serious question against three year olds when he would have been a four year old. Everything he was asked he did, probably through courage, but he didn't sit part three of the examination. His were unique achievements but we can't say he was a world beater because of what he achieved.

Lammtarra won the Epsom Derby, King George and Arc by a total of two lengths while the tally by Mill Reel, who raced 14 times, in the same races was 11 lengths.

And, while now conceding that in the early stages of the 19 years of the classifications the ratings were 5-7lb too high, Gibbs stands by the more recent assessments.

"Dancing Brave's Arc victory was a unique performance. Bering was an outstanding horse in his own right but the way Dancing Brave beat him was quite remarkable, he added.

"I would hate anyone to suppose we are downing good horses because we are not. We are not in a position to overrate horses and fulfil people's hopes for them. Maybe it is sad Lammtarra is where he is. But the matter was taken out of our hands when they retired him.

According to Gibbs, handicappers are no longer "too easily influenced by one off performances" yet, as with Maroof in 1994, Bahri's victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot has clinched him the miler's crown.

Willie Carson's tactical master stroke to beat a below par Ridgewood Pearl by six lengths has earned the colt a rating of 129, 3lb clear of the subsequent Breeders' Cup Mile winner, who was to win four Group Ones in four countries.

Pennekamp and Celtic Swing, who beat Bahri in the 2000 Guineas, are rated 125 and 124, Halling, his conqueror in the International, 128, and Spectrum, ahead of him in both the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Champion Stakes, 124.

Bahri didn't run to within 4lb of his final rating on his other starts but mile handicapper Richard Dangar explained: "By taking a trip through the woods at Ascot, Bahri travelled further and got the better ground.

"But whichever way you look at it, to win by six lengths is a very good performance. I am happier to judge a horse on one run if he wins a Group One by six lengths."

Alhaarth's emergence at the top of the two year old ratings on 126 was no surprise, the 2,000 Guineas and Derby favourite rated 2lb better than Royal Applause.

Gibbs said: "He demonstrated his immense versatility, answering everything he was asked most impressively. This was particularly conclusive in the Dewhurst when he outclassed the opposition."

Blue Duster finished leading juvenile filly on 119, 5lb clear of her rival in the 1,000 Guineas betting, Bosra Sham.