Search our News Archive

Watch Harbinger's record-breaking King George victory

Harbinger rated world's best - 6lb ahead of Blame

HARBINGER'S record-breaking win in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes has earned him one of the highest ratings in recent years in the World Thoroughbred Rankings.

The panel of international handicappers allotted Harbingera rating of 135 in their 2010 list, which was just 6lb shy of the top-rated horse since the rankings began in 1977, Dancing Brave, and 1lb behind the mark given to Sea The Stars for his unbeaten three-year-old campaign in 2009.

Harbinger, who was undefeated in four runs last year, which culminated in his 11-length success in a record-breaking time at Ascot in July before injury brought about a premature end to his career, was rated 6lb ahead of the next highest horse, Blame, whose win in the Breeders' Cup Classic inflicted a first defeat on supermare Zenyatta. 

Harry Herbert, managing director of Harbinger's owners, Highclere Thoroghbred Racing, said: "In winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot so impressively and then producing one of the greatest performances of all time to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes by 11 lengths in record time, Harbinger has confirmed himself as one of the all-time greats.

"All of us here at Highclere feel very proud and privileged to have raced a world champion for our owners."

Blame's  rating of 129 was 1lb clear of Arc and Derby hero Workforce, who, in what might be considered surprising, was given the same rating as shock 2,000 Guineas winner Makfi.

Also on 129 is three-time American Grade 1 winner Quality Road. The Japanese-trained Arc second Nakayama Festa shares a rating of 127 with Canford Cliffs, while the Aidan O'Brien-trained Cape Blanco and Rip Van Winkle are both rated 126.  

Zenyatta and Goldikova were both given ratings of 125, along with Twice Over and So You Think.

Comments

Log in to post comment

Show all comments