Following their compelling stretch battle in the Feb. 22 Saudi Cup (G1), in which Forever Young defeated Romantic Warrior by a neck, the duo are the 1-2 leaders in the first edition of the 2025 Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. Japan's Forever Young is rated first at 128, just ahead of the Hong Kong-based Romantic Warrior at 127.
Behind the top duo in a tie for third with ratings of 124 are Ka Yin Rising, a star grass sprinter in Hong Kong, and White Abarrio, winner of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1). Runaway Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Locked is fifth at 123. He had been second to White Abarrio in the Pegasus World Cup.
Two other United States-trained runners are in the current standings: San Felipe Stakes (G2) winner Journalism and Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) winner and reigning champion male sprinter Straight No Chaser, both rated at 117 and part of a cluster of horses tied in 10th place. Journalism, pointed toward upcoming starts in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1), is the only 3-year-old in the initial 2025 edition of the rankings.
The latest rankings, covering racing action worldwide from Jan. 1 - March 9, are compiled by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee and are published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. The full rankings can be found online.
