2004 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The 2004 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings was the inaugural edition of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings. It is an assessment of racehorses which was issued by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) in January 2005. It includes horses aged three or older which raced or were trained during 2004 in countries where the flat racing year runs from January 1 to December 31. These countries are generally in the Northern Hemisphere.
The ratings represent a weight value in pounds, with higher values given to horses which showed greater ability. It is judged that these weights would equalize the abilities of the horses if carried in a theoretical handicap race. The list includes all horses rated 115 or above, and it also shows the surface and the distances at which the rating was achieved.
The highest rating in the 2004 season was 130, which was given to the performance of Ghostzapper in the Breeders' Cup Classic. In total, 162 horses were included in the list.
Full rankings for 2004
- Country foaled – Horse names are followed by a suffix indicating the country where foaled.
- Age – The ages shown for horses foaled in the Northern Hemisphere are as of their universal date of increase, January 1, 2004. The ages of horses born in the Southern Hemisphere are taken from their equivalent date, August 1, 2004.
- Sex – The following abbreviations are used:
Rank |
Rating |
Horse |
Age |
Sex |
Trained |
Surface |
Distance (m) |
1 | 130 | Ghostzapper (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 2,000 |
2 | 128 | Smarty Jones (USA) | 3 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,900 |
3 | 127 | Doyen (IRE) | 4 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 2,400 |
4 | 126 | Bago (FR) | 3 | C | France | Turf | 2,400 |
4 | 126 | Pleasantly Perfect (USA) | 6 | H | United States | Dirt | 2,000 |
6 | 125 | Cherry Mix (FR) | 3 | C | France | Turf | 2,400 |
7 | 124 | Haafhd (GB) | 3 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 2,000 |
7 | 124 | Medaglia d'Oro (USA) | 5 | H | United States | Dirt | 2,000 |
9 | 123 | Azamour (IRE) | 3 | C | Ireland | Turf | 2,000 |
9 | 123 | Grey Swallow (IRE) | 3 | C | Ireland | Turf | 2,400 |
9 | 123 | Pico Central (BRZ) | 5 | H | United States | Dirt | 1,200 |
9 | 123 | Rakti (GB) | 5 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
9 | 123 | Roses in May (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 2,000 |
9 | 123 | Sulamani (IRE) | 5 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 2,000 |
15 | 122 | Kitten's Joy (USA) | 3 | C | United States | Turf | 2,400 |
15 | 122 | Lucky Story (USA) | 3 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
15 | 122 | North Light (IRE) | 3 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 2,400 |
15 | 122 | Southern Image (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,800 / 1,900 |
15 | 122 | Speightstown (USA) | 6 | H | United States | Dirt | 1,200 |
15 | 122 | Zenno Rob Roy (JPN) | 4 | C | Japan | Turf | 2,400 |
21 | 121 | Better Talk Now (USA) | 5 | H | United States | Turf | 2,400 |
21 | 121 | Norse Dancer (IRE) | 4 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 2,000 |
21 | 121 | Refuse to Bend (IRE) | 4 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 / 2,000 |
24 | 120 | Acropolis (IRE) | 3 | C | Ireland | Turf | 2,400 |
24 | 120 | Birdstone (USA) | 3 | C | United States | Dirt | 2,000 / 2,400 |
24 | 120 | Durandal (JPN) | 5 | H | Japan | Turf | 1,600 |
24 | 120 | Hard Buck (BRZ) | 5 | H | United States | Turf | 2,400 |
24 | 120 | Ouija Board (GB) | 3 | F | Great Britain | Turf | 2,400 |
24 | 120 | Powerscourt (GB) | 4 | C | Ireland | Turf | 2,000 |
24 | 120 | Rule of Law (USA) | 3 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 2,900 |
24 | 120 | Tap Dance City (USA) | 7 | H | Japan | Turf | 2,200 |
24 | 120 | Tycoon (GB) | 3 | C | Ireland | Turf | 2,400 |
24 | 120 | Warrsan (IRE) | 6 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 2,000 |
34 | 119 | Papineau (GB) | 4 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 4,000 |
34 | 119 | Peace Rules (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,800 / 2,000 |
34 | 119 | Perfect Drift (USA) | 5 | H | United States | Dirt | 1,800 / 2,000 |
34 | 119 | Saint Liam (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
34 | 119 | Shirocco (GER) | 3 | C | Germany | Turf | 2,400 |
34 | 119 | Soviet Song (IRE) | 4 | F | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
34 | 119 | Vinnie Roe (IRE) | 6 | H | Ireland | Turf | 2,800 / 3,200 |
41 | 118 | Attraction (GB) | 3 | F | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
41 | 118 | Azeri (USA) | 6 | M | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
41 | 118 | Bachelor Duke (USA) | 3 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
41 | 118 | Bandari (IRE) | 5 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 2,400 |
41 | 118 | Electrocutionist (USA) | 3 | C | Italy | Turf | 2,400 |
41 | 118 | Gamut (IRE) | 5 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 2,400 |
41 | 118 | Kela (USA) | 6 | H | United States | Dirt | 1,200 / 1,400 |
41 | 118 | Let the Lion Roar (GB) | 3 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 2,400 |
41 | 118 | Midas Eyes (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,400 |
41 | 118 | Nayyir (GB) | 6 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
41 | 118 | Sightseek (USA) | 5 | M | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
41 | 118 | Singletary (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Turf | 1,600 |
41 | 118 | Snow Ridge (IRE) | 3 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
41 | 118 | Somnus (GB) | 4 | G | Great Britain | Turf | 1,400 |
41 | 118 | Westerner (GB) | 5 | H | France | Turf | 3,100 |
41 | 118 | Whipper (USA) | 3 | C | France | Turf | 1,600 |
57 | 117 | Ancient World (USA) | 4 | G | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
57 | 117 | Antonius Pius (USA) | 3 | C | Ireland | Turf | 1,600 |
57 | 117 | Ashado (USA) | 3 | F | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
57 | 117 | Chic (GB) | 4 | F | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
57 | 117 | Chorist (GB) | 5 | M | Great Britain | Turf | 2,000 |
57 | 117 | Cosmo Bulk (JPN) | 3 | C | Japan | Turf | 2,400 |
57 | 117 | Diamond Green (FR) | 3 | C | France | Turf | 1,600 |
57 | 117 | Egerton (GER) | 3 | C | Germany | Turf | 2,400 |
57 | 117 | Epalo (GER) | 5 | H | Germany | Turf | 2,000 |
57 | 117 | Kicken Kris (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Turf | 2,000 |
57 | 117 | King Kamehameha (JPN) | 3 | C | Japan | Turf | 1,600 / 2,400 |
57 | 117 | Latice (IRE) | 3 | F | France | Turf | 2,100 |
57 | 117 | Lion Heart (USA) | 3 | C | United States | Dirt | 2,000 |
57 | 117 | Magistretti (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Turf | 2,400 |
57 | 117 | Millenary (GB) | 7 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 2,800 / 3,600 |
57 | 117 | Mr Dinos (IRE) | 5 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 3,200 |
57 | 117 | Mubtaker (USA) | 7 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 2,600 |
57 | 117 | Quiff (GB) | 3 | F | Great Britain | Turf | 2,400 |
57 | 117 | Russian Rhythm (USA) | 4 | F | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
57 | 117 | Simonas (IRE) | 5 | H | Germany | Turf | 2,400 |
57 | 117 | Special Ring (USA) | 7 | H | United States | Turf | 1,800 |
57 | 117 | Total Impact (CHI) | 6 | H | United States | Dirt | 2,000 |
57 | 117 | Touch of Land (FR) | 4 | C | France | Turf | 2,000 |
57 | 117 | Var (USA) | 5 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 1,000 |
57 | 117 | Voix du Nord (FR) | 3 | C | France | Turf | 2,100 |
82 | 116 | Adoration (USA) | 5 | M | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
82 | 116 | Alexander Goldrun (IRE) | 3 | F | Ireland | Turf | 2,000 |
82 | 116 | Altieri (GB) | 6 | H | Italy | Turf | 2,000 |
82 | 116 | Bayamo (IRE) | 5 | H | United States | Turf | 1,800 |
82 | 116 | Blue Canari (FR) | 3 | C | France | Turf | 2,400 |
82 | 116 | Delta Blues (JPN) | 3 | C | Japan | Turf | 2,400 |
82 | 116 | Funny Cide (USA) | 4 | G | United States | Dirt | 2,000 |
82 | 116 | Grey Lilas (IRE) | 3 | F | France | Turf | 1,600 |
82 | 116 | Ikhtyar (IRE) | 4 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 2,000 |
82 | 116 | Intendant (GER) | 3 | C | Germany | Turf | 2,000 |
82 | 116 | Meteor Storm (GB) | 5 | H | United States | Turf | 2,000 |
82 | 116 | Millemix (FR) | 3 | C | France | Turf | 2,100 |
82 | 116 | Mister Monet (IRE) | 3 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 2,000 / 2,100 |
82 | 116 | Mr O'Brien (IRE) | 5 | H | United States | Turf | 1,600 / 2,200 |
82 | 116 | Policy Maker (IRE) | 4 | C | France | Turf | 2,400 |
82 | 116 | Prince Kirk (FR) | 4 | C | Italy | Turf | 1,800 |
82 | 116 | Silk Famous (JPN) | 5 | H | Japan | Turf | 2,200 / 2,400 |
82 | 116 | Soldier Hollow (GB) | 4 | C | Germany | Turf | 2,000 |
82 | 116 | Stroll (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Turf | 1,800 |
82 | 116 | Strong Hope (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,400 |
82 | 116 | Tsurumaru Boy (JPN) | 6 | H | Japan | Turf | 1,600 |
82 | 116 | Valixir (IRE) | 3 | C | France | Turf | 2,000 / 2,400 |
104 | 115 | Admire Don (JPN) | 5 | H | Japan | Dirt | 1,600 / 2,000 |
104 | 115 | American Post (GB) | 3 | C | France | Turf | 1,600 |
104 | 115 | Artie Schiller (USA) | 3 | C | United States | Turf | 1,800 / 2,000 |
104 | 115 | Ashdown Express (IRE) | 5 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 1,200 / 1,400 |
104 | 115 | Bahamian Pirate (USA) | 9 | G | Great Britain | Turf | 1,000 |
104 | 115 | Bluesthestandard (USA) | 7 | G | United States | Dirt | 1,200 |
104 | 115 | Cacique (IRE) | 3 | C | France | Turf | 2,000 |
104 | 115 | Cape of Good Hope (GB) | 6 | H | Hong Kong | Turf | 1,000 |
104 | 115 | Calstone Light O (JPN) | 6 | H | Japan | Turf | 1,200 |
104 | 115 | Designed for Luck (USA) | 7 | G | United States | Turf | 1,600 |
104 | 115 | Dynever (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
104 | 115 | Ema Bovary (CHI) | 5 | M | United States | Dirt | 1,200 |
104 | 115 | Even the Score (USA) | 6 | H | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
104 | 115 | Evening Attire (USA) | 6 | G | United States | Dirt | 2,000 |
104 | 115 | Execute (FR) | 7 | H | France | Turf | 2,100 |
104 | 115 | Film Maker (USA) | 4 | F | United States | Turf | 2,200 |
104 | 115 | Firebreak (GB) | 5 | H | Great Britain | Dirt / Turf | 1,400 / 1,600 |
104 | 115 | Groom Tesse (GB) | 3 | C | Italy | Turf | 2,400 |
104 | 115 | Ingrandire (JPN) | 5 | H | Japan | Turf | 3,200 |
104 | 115 | Intercontinental (GB) | 4 | F | United States | Turf | 1,600 |
104 | 115 | Island Fashion (USA) | 4 | F | United States | Dirt | 1,400 / 2,000 |
104 | 115 | Lincoln (JPN) | 4 | C | Japan | Turf | 2,200 |
104 | 115 | Lundy's Liability (BRZ) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
104 | 115 | Lune d'Or (FR) | 3 | F | France | Turf | 2,000 |
104 | 115 | Maraahel (IRE) | 3 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 2,900 |
104 | 115 | Midway Road (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,900 |
104 | 115 | Mikado (GB) | 3 | C | Ireland | Turf | 2,900 |
104 | 115 | Millionaia (IRE) | 3 | F | France | Turf | 2,100 |
104 | 115 | My Cousin Matt (USA) | 5 | G | United States | Dirt | 1,200 |
104 | 115 | Narita Century (JPN) | 5 | H | Japan | Turf | 2,400 |
104 | 115 | Nothing to Lose (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Turf | 1,600 |
104 | 115 | Oriental Magic (IRE) | 4 | C | GB / HK | Turf | 2,000 |
104 | 115 | Our New Recruit (USA) | 5 | H | United States | Dirt | 1,200 |
104 | 115 | Paolini (GER) | 7 | H | Germany | Turf | 1,777 |
104 | 115 | Passing Glance (GB) | 5 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 1,700 |
104 | 115 | Patavellian (IRE) | 6 | G | Great Britain | Turf | 1,200 |
104 | 115 | Percussionist (IRE) | 3 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 2,400 |
104 | 115 | Phoenix Reach (IRE) | 4 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 2,400 |
104 | 115 | Pivotal Point (GB) | 4 | G | Great Britain | Turf | 1,200 |
104 | 115 | Pohave (USA) | 6 | G | United States | Dirt | 1,200 |
104 | 115 | Polish Summer (GB) | 7 | H | France | Turf | 2,400 |
104 | 115 | Prospect Park (GB) | 3 | C | France | Turf | 2,400 |
104 | 115 | Purge (USA) | 3 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
104 | 115 | Read the Footnotes (USA) | 3 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
104 | 115 | Request for Parole (USA) | 5 | H | United States | Turf | 2,200 / 2,400 |
104 | 115 | Sabiango (GER) | 6 | H | United States | Turf | 2,000 |
104 | 115 | Salselon (GB) | 5 | H | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
104 | 115 | Senex (GER) | 4 | C | Germany | Turf | 2,400 |
104 | 115 | Society Selection (USA) | 3 | F | United States | Dirt | 2,000 |
104 | 115 | Star over the Bay (USA) | 6 | G | United States | Turf | 2,000 |
104 | 115 | Sweet Return (GB) | 4 | C | United States | Turf | 1,600 / 1,800 |
104 | 115 | Tante Rose (IRE) | 4 | F | Great Britain | Turf | 1,200 |
104 | 115 | Telegnosis (JPN) | 5 | H | Japan | Turf | 1,600 |
104 | 115 | Ten Most Wanted (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
104 | 115 | The Cliff's Edge (USA) | 3 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,800 / 2,000 |
104 | 115 | The Tatling (IRE) | 7 | G | Great Britain | Turf | 1,000 |
104 | 115 | Time Paradox (JPN) | 6 | H | Japan | Dirt | 2,100 |
104 | 115 | Vallee Enchantee (IRE) | 4 | F | France | Turf | 2,400 |
104 | 115 | Wonder Again (USA) | 5 | M | United States | Turf | 1,800 / 2,200 |
Certain horses may have also recorded a lesser rating over a distance different from that listed above. The IFHA publishes this information when the lower rating represents the overall top performance in a particular category. There were seven such additional ratings for this season:
Rating | Horse | Age | Sex | Trained | Surface | Distance (m) | |
+ | 123 | Ghostzapper (USA) | 4 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
+ | 122 | Haafhd (GB) | 3 | C | Great Britain | Turf | 1,600 |
+ | 118 | Smarty Jones (USA) | 3 | C | United States | Dirt | 1,800 |
+ | 117 | Azeri (USA) | 6 | M | United States | Dirt | 2,000 |
+ | 116 | Quiff (GB) | 3 | F | Great Britain | Turf | 2,900 |
+ | 115 | Ashado (USA) | 3 | F | United States | Dirt | 2,000 |
+ | 115 | Azeri (USA) | 6 | M | United States | Dirt | 1,200 |
Top ranked horses
The tables below show the top ranked horses overall, the top fillies and mares, and the top three-year-olds in the 2004 Rankings. They also show the top performers in various subdivisions of each group, which are defined by the distances of races, and the surfaces on which they are run. The IFHA recognizes five distance categories — Sprint, Mile, Intermediate, Long and Extended — identified by the acronym "SMILE". These are framed as follows:
- Sprint: 1,000–1,300m (1,000–1,599m for races in Canada and the United States)
- Mile: 1,301–1,899m (1,600–1,899m for races in Canada and the United States)
- Intermediate: 1,900–2,100m
- Long: 2,101–2,700m
- Extended: 2,701m +
All Horses | |||
All Surfaces | Dirt | Turf | |
All Distances | 130 – Ghostzapper | 130 – Ghostzapper | 127 – Doyen |
Sprint | 123 – Pico Central | 123 – Pico Central | 117 – Var |
Mile | 123 – Ghostzapper 123 – Rakti | 123 – Ghostzapper | 123 – Rakti |
Intermediate | 130 – Ghostzapper | 130 – Ghostzapper | 124 – Haafhd |
Long | 127 – Doyen | 120 – Birdstone | 127 – Doyen |
Extended | 120 – Rule of Law | not listed | 120 – Rule of Law |
Fillies and Mares | |||
All Surfaces | Dirt | Turf | |
All Distances | 120 – Ouija Board | 118 – Azeri 118 – Sightseek | 120 – Ouija Board |
Sprint | 115 – Azeri 115 – Ema Bovary 115 – Island Fashion 115 – Tante Rose | 115 – Azeri 115 – Ema Bovary 115 – Island Fashion | 115 – Tante Rose |
Mile | 119 – Soviet Song | 118 – Azeri 118 – Sightseek | 119 – Soviet Song |
Intermediate | 117 – Azeri 117 – Chorist 117 – Latice | 117 – Azeri | 117 – Chorist 117 – Latice |
Long | 120 – Ouija Board | not listed | 120 – Ouija Board |
Extended | 116 – Quiff | not listed | 116 – Quiff |
Three-Year-Olds | |||
All Surfaces | Dirt | Turf | |
All Distances | 128 – Smarty Jones | 128 – Smarty Jones | 126 – Bago |
Sprint | not listed | not listed | not listed |
Mile | 122 – Haafhd 122 – Lucky Story | 118 – Smarty Jones | 122 – Haafhd 122 – Lucky Story |
Intermediate | 128 – Smarty Jones | 128 – Smarty Jones | 124 – Haafhd |
Long | 126 – Bago | 120 – Birdstone | 126 – Bago |
Extended | 120 – Rule of Law | not listed | 120 – Rule of Law |