The World’s Best – Curlin and Duke of Marmalade
The Timeform Global Rankings have just been released and even though Curlin is at the top of the log, Duke of Marmalade has been rated to be the best turf horse in the world at present. Since being established in 1948, Timeform has been accepted as the leading organization to calculate the ratings of horses around the world that are competing on an international level. Not only do they assess flat horse racing, but also turn their attention to hurdlers and chasers. For 2008, Curlin remains victorious overall and dirt champion of the world, while Duke of Marmalade seems to be the king of the turf.
To create a list of the worlds’ top horses, Timeform looks at numerous aspects, over and above comparing performances against each other. There are many factors to take in consideration such as horse’s individual performance, the weight that a horse carried during the events, track surfaces, wind, distances of the racing events, the age of the horse and so forth. Once all the information has been gathered on each horse, taking into account all their racing events for the season, the computer generates a rating, which then allows Timeform to release a list of the best horses for the determined time period.
The Timeform Global Ratings are as follows, in rating order: Curlin (134), Duke of Marmalade (133), Big Brown and Papal Bull on 132, Henrythenavigator, New Approach and Sacred Kingdom with a rating of 131, Ravens Pass, Soldier of Fortune, Tartan Bearer, Weekend Hussler and Youmzain all with 130, Getaway and Good Ba Ba on 129, Montmartre, Sakhee’s Secret and Septimus with 128, Apache Cat, Archipenko, Marchand D’Or, Matsurida Gogh, Miss Andretti, Viva Pataca and Yeats with 127. The order of ranking when horses have the same rating, depends on their most recent performances and projected improvements in the near future.
Duke of Marmalade, who was sired by Danehill and foaled out of the mare, Love Me True, comes from a long genetic line of champion racehorses, such as Summer Squall, AP Indy, Bite The Bullet and Lemon Drop Kid. Winning four of his Group 1 events consecutively, under the guidance of trainer, Aiden O’Brien, Duke of Marmalade has most certainly proved his worth as a top performing athlete. For Duke of Marmalade to be ranked the second best horse in the world and the top horse on the turf is a magnificent achievement. Spectators and fans have supported this wonderful horse with great enthusiasm, and the Timeform Global Ranking is a mere confirmation of what many have believed and predicted all along.
