Seven Hong Kong horses – led by Golden Sixty – feature in the top 20 of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, while Vincent Ho has surged to the top of the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Rankings.
With two G1 victories this year so far, Francis Lui’s Golden Sixty has climbed to equal third with Exultant on a mark of 120, just two points behind Saudi Cup winner Mishriff (122), who heads the rankings which are based on performances from 1 January 2021 until 7 March 2021.
The new standings have Golden Sixty and Exultant sharing status as the world’s top two horses in the 1301m-1899m category on turf.
The depth of Hong Kong’s established horse pool is borne out by the presence of Waikuku and Southern Legend, who have a figure of 118 in joint ninth place, while Furore and Ka Ying Star are in equal 12th place at 117.
Hot King Prawn, who contests the Lantau Island Handicap at Sha Tin on Saturday (13 March), is now officially regarded as the world’s second-ranked sprinter with a mark of 117 behind Australia’s Nature Strip (121), who is second overall.
Vincent Ho, Golden Sixty’s familiar ally, is currently leads the LONGINES World Best jockey rankings with 36 points ahead of Joao Moreira (34), Zac Purton (26) and Karis Teetan (22) – giving Hong Kong ownership of the top-four positions.
Great Britain’s globe-trotting champion jockey Ryan Moore is in fifth place with 20 points.
