The Japan Racing Association released 2024's JPN Thoroughbred Rankings of 2-year-olds Jan. 21 to coincide with when the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities released the 2024 Longines World's Best Racehorse Ranking.
Sunday Racing's Croix du Nord sits at the top of the table with a 117 rating, which equaled Danon Premium's 2017 ranking as the co-highest figure of a Japanese-trained 2-year-old. The colt by Kitasan Black started three times in 2024 and won all of them, including the Dec. 28 Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse. The 2024 JRA awards ceremony will be conducted at The Prince Park Tower Tokyo Jan. 27.
Trainer Takashi Saito announced Croix du Nord will go straight to the April 20 Satsuki Sho (G1), the first leg of the Japanese Triple Crown, at Nakayama, without having a prep race.
Top 2-year-old filly Arma Veloce, winner of the Dec. 8 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Kyoto Racecourse, received a rating of 113.
Myriad Love, unbeaten winner of the Dec. 11 Zen Nippon Nisai Yushun on Japan's Road to the Kentucky Derby (G1) at Kawasaki, received a rating of 108—the highest-ever figure given to a 2-year-old filly in the dirt division. The filly by New Year's Day is pointing to the Feb. 22 Saudi Derby (G3) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.
