Ombudsman Reaches the Summit of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings

The Godolphin crack earned a magnificent 131-point rating following his spectacular victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, putting him in a dead heat at the top of the global standings with the elite Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising

The breathtaking performance by Ombudsman at Royal Ascot carried an exceptional reward. The talented son of Night of Thunder officialy ascended to the summit of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, sharing the global leadership at 131 pounds with the brilliant Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress), according to the fifth official update of the 2026 racing season.

The Godolphin color-bearer was the absolute star of the latest review following his authoritative victory in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1), where he drew away to defeat the stellar filly Minnie Hauk (Frankel) by four lengths, leaving Daryz (Sea the Stars) in third and Almaqam (Lope de Vega) back in fourth. That majestic display at Ascot prompted international handicappers to raise his rating from 125 to 131 pounds, placing him at the pinnacle of the global standings for the first time in his career.

Ombudsman's current campaign had already reached an elite level. Prior to shining at the royal meeting, he had captured the Brigadier Gerard Stakes (G3) and the Dubai Turf (G1), but it was his extraordinary performance at Ascot that ultimately convinced the committee to grant him the highest co-highest rating in the sport today.

On the other side of the ledger stands an absolute phenomenon of speed. Ka Ying Rising maintains a historic and active streak of 20 consecutive victories, continuing his absolute dominance over the sprinting division in Hong Kong. During his flawless 2026 campaign, he has already secured top-flight triumphs in the Centenary Sprint Cup (G1), the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (G1), the Sprint Cup (G2), and the Chairman's Sprint Prize (G1).

In fact, a deeper review of that last-mentioned event allowed the David Hayes trainee to improve one point from the previous publication, moving from 130 to 131. The adjustment was strongly supported by the subsequent performances of several rivals he defeated that afternoon, including Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa), Raging Blizzard (Per Incanto), and Comanche Brave (Wootton Bassett), whose recent form significantly bolstered the technical strength of the race held at Sha Tin.

Royal Ascot generated several other significant movements within the global standings. The progressive Sc Scandinavia (Justify) received a 123 rating after capturing the grueling Gold Cup (G1) over Trawlerman (Golden Horn, 122), while Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) reached 121 points following a hard-fought victory over Kalpana (Study of Man, 120) in the Hardwicke Stakes (G2). Also entering the prominent lists was Ten Bob Tony (Night of Thunder), assigned a 121 rating after capturing the historic Queen Anne Stakes (G1).

Among the most relevant updates was the breakthrough into the global Top 10 by Constitution River (Wootton Bassett), whose recent victory in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) earned him a 124 rating. The Ballydoyle representative, who had previously captured the French Prix du Jockey Club (G1), cements his status as one of the premier 3-year-olds on the planet, continuing to build an immensely productive campaign.

Sharing that identical 124 rating is the American star Magnitude (Not This Time), who climbed from 122 to 124 following his successful return in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1). Making his first appearance since a resounding triumph in the Dubai World Cup (G1), the colt confirmed his top-flight class by defeating Baeza (McKinzie, 121), with Sovereignty (Into Mischief, 122) and White Abarrio (Race Day, 124) completing the frame.

The update also reflected the rise of Japan's Meisho Tabaru (Gold Ship), who improved to 123 after securing the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) by a neck over Croix du Nord (Kitasan Black, 122), effectively reversing the exact order of finish from the Osaka Hai (G1) months earlier. Another European representative continuing his upward trajectory is Calandagan (Gleneagles), now rated at 122 after capturing the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1). Having previously excelled in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), he continues to solidify his standing among the elite long-distance turf horses in training.

The new edition of the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings confirms a racing landscape that is as competitive as it is fascinating. While Ka Ying Rising maintains an extraordinary hegemony among the sprinters, Ombudsman has burst onto the scene with a memorable performance to share the crown of world turf, arriving at a juncture of the season where the grand events across Europe, Asia, and North America promise to keep rewriting the battle for absolute leadership.