Equinox crowned world’s greatest horse as he adds another award to the trophy cabinet
JAPANESE superstar Equinox has claimed another trophy to be added to the already bulging cabinet.
The six-time Group 1 winner has been named Horse Of The Year by ratings experts Timeform in their inaugural Timeform Awards.
Equinox shot to global prominence with his dominant win over Westover in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.
He followed that up with a cosy win in the Takarazuka Kinen, before claiming the Tenno Sho in October.
His final racecourse start came in the Japan Cup, where he produced his best performance without seriously coming off the bridle.
That earned him a Timeform rating of 136 – the highest rating achieved by an horse this year – and the top award.
Such was his dominance, that he also won the Champion Of The Rest Of The World award ahead of Hong Kong star Golden Sixty.
On the Flat, Aidan O’Brien’s City Of Troy unsurprisingly landed the Leading 2YO award.
He was scintillating in three runs, with his juvenile career culminating in a remarkable three-length win in the Dewhurst at Newmarket.
The Champion Of Europe award headed to France, with Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Ace Impact gaining a 133-rating.
There was some joy for the Brits, with Emily Upjohn pipping her stablemate Inspiral to the Leading Female 3yo+ category.
Results in full
Horse of the Year*
1. Equinox
2. Ace Impact
3. Auguste Rodin
Leading 2-y-o**
1. City of Troy – 125p
2. Henry Longfellow – 120p
3. Vandeek – 119p
Leading Male 3-y-o+
1. Equinox – 136
2. Ace Impact – 133
3. Westover – 131
Leading Female 3-y-o+
1. Emily Upjohn – 126
2. Inspiral – 125
3=Through Seven Seas – 124
3=Liberty Island – 124
3= Imperatriz – 124
Champion of the Rest of the World
1. Equinox – 136
2. Golden Sixty – 129
2=Cody’s Wish – 129
Champion of Europe
1. Ace Impact – 133
2. Westover – 131
3. Hukum – 130
First-season sire***
1. Too Darn Hot (99)
2. Blue Point (96)
3. Calyx (93)
3= Ten Sovereigns (93)
Race of the Year
1. Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (130)
2. Tenno Sho (Autumn) (129)
2= Dubai Sheema Classic (129)
*Determined by vote among Timeform editorial staff
**Europe only
***Based on average Timeform master rating of top 10 progeny (need to have had a minimum of ten runners in Britain or Ireland).
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