Ka Ying Rising Opens Lead in Longines World Rankings

Following a record-setting performance to kick off the Hong Kong season in the Chief Executive's Cup (G3) Sept. 6 at Sha Tin, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) now stands alone as the top-rated horse in the world in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. In what was his 21st consecutive victory, Ka Ying Rising set a 6-furlong course record of 1:06.11 when returning from a four-month layoff. The performance raised his Longines rating from 131 to 135, breaking Black Caviar's record for the highest received by a sprinter, under the current rating system, of 132 in 2011. The new rating separates him from a tie with Ombudsman (IRE), who remains in second at 131. Now-retired Bow Echo (IRE) is third with a 127 ranking while Daryz (FR) and Romantic Warrior (IRE) were joined in their 126-rated tie for fourth this month by Item (GB) off his win in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1). Now-retired Metropolitan Handicap (G1) winner Nysos and Whitney Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty are the co-highest rated runners based in America. They each are rated at 125 and are part of a six-way tie for seventh. Dubai World Cup (G1) and Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) winner Magnitude and Oaklawn Handicap (G2) winner White Abarrio are part of a seven-way tie for 13th with a rating of 124. Off his victory in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) Aug. 29, Englishman raised his rating from 120 to 122, placing him in a seven-way tie for 25th place on the list that includes Pacific Classic (G1) winner Knightsbridge. See the Full Rankings Through Sept. 6