We have already seen some big performances on the track in 2023 from the leading international meetings around the world, and there are likely to be many more to come, with the Breeders’ Cup, Melbourne Cup and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe remaining on the calendar.
Here is a look at the top-10 rated horses currently in training in Flat Racing.
10. Dubai Honour
Trained in the UK by William Haggas, Dubai Honour won two Group One races in Australia in early 2023, including the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill. The five-year-old has picked up over £3 million in prize money in his career.
9. Bay Bridge
Last season’s Qipco Champion Stakes winner consistently fares well in the leading European races between 1m2f and 1m4f. He is a six-time winner on the track. Sir Michael Stoute’s runner is 12/1 in the Paddy Power horse racing market for the Juddmonte International later this year.
8. Auguste Rodin
AUGUSTE RODIN WINS THE DERBY! pic.twitter.com/zoqZoH54tX
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 3, 2023
As the racing results show, Auguste Rodin won the Derby at Epsom earlier this year for his trainer Aidan O’Brien. The exciting three-year-old colt completed a double when he landed the Irish Derby a month later. He could be one of the best horses to come out of the Ballydoyle operation in Ireland.
7. Romantic Warrior
With 10 victories from 14 appearances on the track, Romantic Warrior has an excellent record. The Hong Kong-based gelding won the Group One QEII Cup at Sha Tin back in April. That was his third success at the highest level.
6. Luxembourg
As a son of Derby winner Camelot, a lot was always going to be expected of Luxembourg. He was unbeaten as a two-year-old, while since then, he has had wins in the Irish Champion Stakes and the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He is regarded as one of O’Brien’s best horses currently in training.
5. Ace Impact
The unbeaten three-year-old colt won the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) earlier this year. That was just his fourth outing on the track. The sky is the limit for the son of Cracksman.
4. Titleholder
Versatile horse Titleholder has been the star of Japanese racing for several years. He has had wins from distances from 1m2f up to 2m. His latest success came in the Nikkei Sho at Nakayama.
3. Lucky Sweynesse
Bred in New Zealand, Lucky Sweynesse has gone on to be a huge star in Hong Kong. He has won his last six consecutive races, with three Group One triumphs coming in that sequence. The four-year-old is considered one of the fastest sprinters in the world.
2. Golden Sixty
Now at the age of seven, Golden Sixty has won 25 of his 29 races, accumulating over £14 million in prize money. He has prevailed in three Group One races already in 2023, including the Champions Mile at Sha Tin.
1. Equinox
⭐️ Equinox WINS the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic
S U P E R S T A R pic.twitter.com/j1Ic67Hh3f
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) March 25, 2023
With a rating of 129, Equinox is the highest-rated racehorse in the world. The Japanese horse won the Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup evening at Meydan back in March. He has since followed that up with victory back in Japan in the Grade One Takarazuka Kinen.
All ten of the above horses will be in contention to be named the world’s best racehorse at the end of 2023.