Daryz climbed onto the global podium, though Ka Ying Rising remains untouchable

The back-to-back Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe champion moved up from 126 to 128 points to rank third in the latest IFHA ratings, trailing the Hong Kong sprinter who leads with 135, and Ombudsman, second with 131; Bay City Rolleralso made progress, reaching 125

PARIS, France (Special for Turf Diario).— Winning two consecutive renewals of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) is no everyday feat, and the latest update of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings fully recognized the magnitude of what Daryz (Sea the Stars) accomplished. The Aga Khan Studs champion earned a rating of 128 points, up two from his previous mark, climbing to third position among the top horses on the planet.

The eighth edition of the 2026 international rankings, compiled from performances between January 1 and October 4, kept Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) at the pinnacle. Hong Kong's extraordinary sprinter retains his 135 points and a towering lead over the field.

Holding second position is Ombudsman (Night of Thunder), the Godolphin representative trained by John and Thady Gosden, rated at 131, while Daryz rounded out the podium following his repeat triumph at ParisLongchamp.

The son of Sea the Stars, trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, secured his second straight Arc on Sunday by defeating Bay City Roller (New Bay) by 1 1/4 lengths, a performance that lifted his rating from 126 to 128.

The runner-up also benefited from that display. George Scott’s charge moved up from 122 to 125 points, joining a crowded group sharing seventh place in the global standings.

It was not the first meeting between the two this season. In his prior outing, Daryz had defeated Bay City Roller by 1 3/4 lengths in the Prix Foy (G2), proving a superiority he subsequently translated to Europe’s premier fixture.

The Aga Khan Studs champion had also captured the Prix Ganay (G1) and the Prix Aga Khan IV (G1) earlier this year, demonstrating a versatility that stands as one of his defining attributes.

Bay City Roller, meanwhile, counts a victory in the Coronation Cup (G1) among his signature highlights of 2026.

The standing of Ka Ying Rising remains extraordinary. The David Hayes trainee holds a 4-point cushion over Ombudsman and a 7-point gap over Daryz, firmly established as the world's foremost standard-bearer through his sprinting dominance.

His next assignment is slated for Saturday, October 17 in The Everest (G1), one of the defining events on the Australian calendar, where he will seek to solidify his premier status.

Behind the top three sits Bow Echo (Night of Thunder) on 127 points, while Item (Frankel) and Romantic Warrior(Acclamation) share fifth position at 126.

The seventh rung brings together seven horses on 125 points: Almaqam (Lope de Vega), Bay City Roller, Gstaad(Starspangledbanner), Notable Speech (Dubawi), Nysos (Nyquist), Scandinavia (Justify), and Sovereignty (Into Mischief).

That group features representatives spanning diverse divisions and jurisdictions, from the major elite performers on European turf to American dirt figures such as Nysos and Sovereignty.

Another noteworthy detail surfaces further down the list. Forever Young (Real Steel), who tops the specific leaderboard of contenders for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), shares 21st place globally at 123 points.

Tied at that same level are Almeraq (Dark Angel), Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel), Meisho Tabaru (Gold Ship), and Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath).

Meanwhile, Knightsbridge (Nyquist), a major force during the North American campaign, stands at 122 points, sharing 26th position with Croix du Nord (Kitasan Black), Englishman (Maxfield), Masquerade Ball (Duramente), Royal Champion (Shamardal), and Trawlerman (Golden Horn).

The density of top-class names packed within narrow margins underscores the depth of competition across the international stage below the leader.

And while the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, set for October 30 and 31, promises to substantially reshape numerous positions, major fixtures like The Everest still loom on the near horizon.

The next edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings is scheduled for November 12, following the conclusion of the American World Championships.

Daryz managed to parlay his second Arc victory into a renewed boost to his global standing, firmly establishing himself among the top three rated horses on earth. For now, however, the summit remains the domain of Ka Ying Rising, who holds a formidable advantage at 135 points as he heads to Australia for another opportunity to show why he remains the world's number one.