Few form followers were surprised that American Pharoah was judged to be the Longines World's Best Racehorse in 2015, but the level of his superiority was the discussion point.
Few form followers were surprised that American Pharoah was judged to be the Longines World's Best Racehorse in 2015, but the level of his superiority was the discussion point.
A panel of the world's top handicappers assessed him to be 4lb (just under 2kg) better than Derby and Arc winner Golden Horn, the pair being well ahead of their contemporaries.
American Pharoah, the first Triple Crown winner in the USA in 37 years, was rated 134, ahead of Golden Horn (130), with Shared Belief, winner of the G1 Santa Anita Handicap, and Treve, who failed in her attempt to win a third Arc, both on 126.
Able Friend, who disappointed on his Royal Ascot visit in June, was rated 125, the same mark as Solow, who won all 6 of his starts in 2015.
That both American Pharoah (once) and Golden Horn (twice) both also tasted defeat set the parameters for their assessment by the panel.
Very few top racehorses survive a busy season at the highest level without being beaten. It is no disgrace that American Pharoah finished second to Keen Ice in the G1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga, and that Golden Horn was just touched off by Arabian Queen in York's G1 Juddmonte International and Found in the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland.
All indications are that 2015 was an "above average" year. The two best horses on the list were both adventurously campaigned by their connections, for which they should be commended, and took racing to a new level of awareness with the general public.
Treve was also a contributer on that score, generating enormous interest and publicity in sporting circles across Europe in her quest for an unprecedented third Arc victory. The fact that she could not pull it off is very quickly forgotten.
Treve will be forever remembered as one of the true greats of the Turf.
Golden Horn is destined for a new career as a Darley stallion, based at Newmarket, UK.
