Mystic Guide had to travel halfway around the globe to earn his spot in the latest Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. Mishriff merely had to travel back to the turf to keep his.
The two share the top spot in the latest Longines rankings, both earning a 122 rating. That comes from a body of racing officials and handicappers who compile rankings under the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) auspices.
Longines releases the rankings periodically throughout the year. These rankings encompass races between Jan. 1 2021 and April 7, 2021.
The IFHA rankings, based on performances in elite-level races against elite-level competition, are skewed toward international horses. That explains the presence of only three US-based horses among the top 10.
Mystic Guide shows the way to the top
Mystic Guide, however, left no mystery as to why he’s atop this ladder. He earned his spot with his 3 ¾-length victory in the Grade 1 Dubai World Cup. That came on the heels of his six-length romp in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park in February.
Mishriff, meanwhile, kept the No. 1 ranking he earned by winning the February Saudi Cup. And he did it in typical Mishriff fashion; after winning the Saudi Cup on dirt, Mishriff migrated back to his natural turf, winning the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic on the Dubai World Cup undercard.
Ranked below them in a tie for third at 121 are Australian products Eduardo and Nature Strip. Give the slight edge to Eduardo, who beat Nature Strip by a head in the Hyland Race Colours Challenge Stakes. Eduardo added a 3 ½-length win in the Group 1 Galaxy for good measure.
Two Baffert products and a Hong Kong wonder gelding
Five horses share fifth at 120. That’s where you find the other two American horses — Bob Baffert products Charlatan and Life Is Good. Charlatan finished second in the Saudi Cup. He will likely run next in the Met Mile on the June 5 Belmont Stakes undercard.
Life Is Good, meanwhile, boat-raced the field by eight lengths in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes at Santa Anita. He’s on the shelf until the fall after ankle surgery for a bone chip in his ankle. In the last rankings, Life Is Good checked in with a 119 rating.
Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings
Leading 2021 Horses Through April 7
| Rank | Horse | Rating | Country Trained |
| 1 | Mishriff (IRE) | 122 | IRE |
| 1 | Mystic Guide (USA) | 122 | USA |
| 3 | Eduardo (AUS) | 121 | AUS |
| 3 | Nature Strip (AUS) | 121 | AUS |
| 5 | Charlatan (USA) | 120 | USA |
| 5 | Exultant (IRE) | 120 | HK |
| 5 | Golden Sixty (AUS) | 120 | HK |
| 5 | Life Is Good (USA) | 120 | USA |
| 5 | Lord North (IRE) | 120 | GB |
Irish gelding Lord North won the Grade 1 Dubai Turf by three lengths to keep his 120 ranking. The other two 120-ranked horses are Hong Kong-based Exultant and Golden Sixty, who won his 13th consecutive race in February. That victory in the Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha-Tin made the Medaglia d’Oro gelding 16-for-17 lifetime.