Field of Gold, Ombudsman, and Forever Young Sit Atop the World

All three share top spot with ratings of 127 pounds on the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities

Field of Gold Shines at Royal Ascot / RACINGFOTOS.COM

The European racing season continues to shake up the upper echelons of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, with the fifth edition of 2025 released Wednesday by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The update reflects the impact of Royal Ascot and other elite contests across Europe, Asia, and America.

The headline is that three horses now share the lead with ratings of 127: Japan’s Forever Young (Real Steel), Irish 3-year-old Field of Gold (Galileo), and Ombudsman (Frankel). The latter two reached their lofty status thanks to brilliant Royal Ascot performances, emerging as prime contenders for Horse of the Year honors.

Field of Gold vaulted to the summit following a dominant 3 1/2-length victory in the St. James’s Palace Stakes (G1), delivering a powerful impression against Europe’s best milers. Previously victorious in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (G1) at The Curragh, his rating climbed from 123 to 127, underlining his rapid progression.

Meanwhile, Ombudsman debuted in the rankings with a high mark after decisively defeating Anmaat (Awtaad, 123) by two lengths in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (G1). His victory was as solid as it was promising, confirming the hype that surrounded him early in his career. Though narrowly beaten next out by Delacroix (Dubawi) in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1), that runner-up effort reaffirmed his status among the elite.

Indeed, Delacroix entered the rankings with a 126 rating, tied for fourth. The Coolmore colt, whose campaign has been uneven, appeared to reach full maturity with his Sandown Park triumph, beating strong rivals like Ruling Court(Justify, 121), third by 1 3/4 lengths, and Camille Pissarro (Wootton Bassett, 120), who finished fourth, a neck further back.

French racing also delivered notable updates, led by Calandagan (Gleneagles), trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, whose mark rose from 123 to 125 following a decisive 3 1/2-length win in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1). Previously, he had been a close second to Jan Brueghel (Sea The Stars, 125) in the Coronation Cup (G1), cementing their tandem as benchmarks among Europe’s top stayers.

Royal Ascot additionally bolstered other names on the leaderboard. Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi, 121) returned to the form that saw him win last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) by capturing the Hardwicke Stakes (G2). Also rising were Trawlerman (Golden Horn, 121) after his gritty victory in the Gold Cup (G1) and French sprinter Lazzat(Territories, 120), who impressed in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1), underscoring the enduring strength of French speedsters on the global stage.

Outside Europe, movement was limited but meaningful. In Japan, Meisho Tabaru (Heart’s Cry, 120) earned his place with victory in the Takarazuka Kinen (G1), while in the U.S., unbeaten Mindframe (Constitution) broke into the rankings with a commanding win in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs, showcasing the American 3-year-old class.

Unsurprisingly, the list once again features no South American-based runners, as the region’s performances remain consistently overlooked and dismissed.

With the racing year now past its halfway point, the championship picture is taking shape, though major cards remain to be played—among them the King George, Juddmonte International, America’s autumn series, and of course, the Breeders’ Cup. For now, the summit is shared by three outstanding horses, each with unique style, heritage, and global ambitions.