Australia Dominates the World in Top Group One Races Again

22/01/2025

It’s official – the country which produced champions Black Caviar, Winx, Nature Strip and Bella Nipotina has more elite horse races than anywhere else in the world.

A release from the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – in conjunction with Longines – has assessed Australia as having the most Group 1 or Grade 1 races in the world’s top 100 during 2024, outstripping Great Britain, Japan, France, the United States and Hong Kong.

From Pride Of Jenni’s mesmerising win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes to Bella Nipotina’s The Everest success and Via Sistina’s breathtaking Cox Plate romp, Australia’s best races consistently found themselves at the upper echelon of world thoroughbred racing.

A total of 30 races in Australia were rated in the world’s top 100, topping Great Britain (20), Japan (13), France (11), the United States (11) and Hong Kong (8). In all, 11 countries were represented in the world’s top 100, but none featured as prominently as Australia.

The nation’s top rating race for the year was the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (123), won in spectacular runaway fashion by Pride Of Jenni, and it came in third overall behind the Juddmonte International Stakes (124.25).

Australia’s other races to surge into the top 10 were the Winx Stakes (121.5) won by Via Sistina, as well as Chris Waller’s mare’s Cox Plate triumph (121.25) and Chain Of Lightning’s upset TJ Smith Stakes (121.25) victory.

The IFHA calculates the overall rating of a race on the strength of the first four runners across the line.

“This is validation of the strength of Australian racing compared to the rest of the world and a n illustration of how good our top horses are to continually produce stellar performances on the track each season,” Aushorse chief executive Tom Reilly said.

“There are racecourses all around Australia which regularly feature on the list of the world’s top 100 races, demonstrating the scope of our racing and how competitive it is all around the country.

“When we hold up a mirror to reflect on our industry, we can be pleased that it stands up to anywhere else in the world, and it’s a great advertisement for why both domestically and internationally people keep wanting to invest in our industry.”

Globetrotting Sydney-based jockey James McDonald was announced as the world’s best jockey in December, winning the tile for the second time.

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