RACING NEWS ROUND-UP:TWO AIDAN O'Brien-trained horses, Cape Blanco and Rip Van Winkle, were listed as top-10 performers on the Thoroughbred Rankings for 2010 headed by the Michael Stoute-trained Harbinger. Cape Blanco (126) completed the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby/Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes double last achieved by Dylan Thomas (126) back in 2006. In the process Cape Blanco was rated top three-year-old colt on turf over 10 furlongs in the world.
Rip Van Winkle (126) shared the same distinction among the older horses when winning the Juddmonte International Stakes at York, while he also shared top status in the world among older milers in running a close second to Canford Cliffs (127) in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
Their stablemate Lillie Langtry (117) was the highest-rated filly in Ireland during 2010 and shared the mantle of top three-year-old female turf miler in the world by virtue of her Group One-winning double in annexing the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.
O’Brien’s Starspangledbanner (121), imported from Australia, was champion sprinter and while still a Southern Hemisphere-bred three-year-old, he won the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot which constituted the best performance by a three-year-old sprinter in the world on any surface during 2010.
Record-breaking filly Goldikova was rated 125 following her third Breeders’ Cup Mile triumph.
Harbinger was awarded the top mark of 135, putting him 6lb clear of next-best Blame despite the fact his career was curtailed by injury. Stoute’s charge was undefeated in four starts last term, culminating in an 11-length romp in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes. However, he did not race again after sustaining a leg injury following that Ascot demolition job, eventually being retired and sold to stud in Japan.
A mark of 135 puts him just 1lb behind Sea The Stars following his three-year-old unbeaten run in 2009 and 6lb shy of the top-rated horse since the rankings began in 1977, Dancing Brave.
Blame, who inflicted Zenyatta’s first career defeat when holding her by the narrowest of margins in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, was next best on 129, 1lb ahead of 2,000 Guineas victor Makfi, Derby hero Workforce and three-time American Grade One winner Quality Road.
Workforce was well beaten by Harbinger at Ascot but redeemed his reputation with victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and shares the title of top three-year-old with Makfi.
Dewhurst hero Frankel and Prix Morny and Middle Park winner Dream Ahead have been assessed as the joint best juvenile colts on 126 while Cheveley Park victor Hooray is rated the leading two-year-old filly on 117.
