US wonder horse, Flightline, was cemented into the horse racing hall-of-fame at the Longines World Racing Awards on Tuesday after getting a top rating of 140 – the same mark as the unbeaten Frankel managed in 2012.
Flightline Given a Longines World Ranking Of 140 (The Same as Frankel)
A big crowd at Banqueting House in London witnessed the John W Sadler-trained Flightline being given a ranking of 140 at the Longines World Racing Awards – which is the same mark as the 14-race unbeaten Frankel.
Flightline Won All Six Career Starts Before Retiring to Stud
Last season, the US-based Flightline grabbed the headlines around the world despite racing only in America, where he won all six starts which climaxed with a 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic win at Keeneland on 5th November (watch below).
Over those six races, which came at Santa Anita (2), Del Mar (2), Belmont and Keeneland, Flightline recorded an aggregate 71 3/4 lengths margin of victories, with the closest horse to get to him at the finish being Happy Saver (6 lengths) in the Grade One Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap on 11th June 2022.
Now retired, Flightline’s 140 mark blew away the previous highest-rated dirt horse (Cigar), who had been given a rating of 135 back in 1996.
WATCH: Flightline winning the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Classic
Flightline Career in Numbers
- Trainer: John W Sadler
- Rated: 140
- Career Runs: 6
- Career Wins: 6
- Grade One Wins: 4
- Total Career Earnings: £3,341,487
- Last Run: 1st, Breeders’ Cup Classic (2022)
Frankel and Flightline Can’t Be Split
Since the world horse racing classifications began in 1977, Flightline now joins only Frankel at the top of the tree with his new mark of 140.
Some may feel that Frankel and Flightline can’t be compared, as Flightline only raced 6 times, while Frankel remained unbeaten for 14 outings.
Frankel also recorded 10 Grade One wins that included the 2000 Guineas in 2011 at Newmarket races, to Flightline’s four, but despite having raced 8 times less, it’s Flightline that earned the more total prize money £3,341.87 – which was £343,185 more than Frankel.
If you’re thinking of owning a horse maybe give it a name that starts with the letter ‘F’!
Frankel Career in Numbers
- Trainer: Sir Henry Cecil
- Rated: 140
- Career Runs: 14
- Career Wins: 14
- Grade One Wins: 10
- Total Career Earnings: £2,998,302
- Last Run: 1st, Ascot Champion Stakes (2012)
William Haggas-Trained Baaeed Given a Rating Of 135
Also at 2023 Longines World Racing Awards we saw the William Haggas-trained Baaeed get a rating of 135, which in a normal year would be grabbing the headlines in its own right.
Baaeed managed to win 10 of his 11 career starts, but blotted his copybook on his final start when beaten at odds-on (4th) in the Ascot Champion Stakes on 15th October 2022 – maybe just one race too many, but still a fine career with just over £2.6m won and six Grade One successes.
Plus, despite playing second fiddle to Flightline at the awards, Baaeed’s rating of 135 was still the highest turf mark since Frankel and only a pound lower than the former Epsom Derby winner Sea The Stars in 2009.
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