International ratings put Flightline on par with Frankel

Trainer John Sadler was thrilled to see the remarkable Flightline named the 2022 Longines World's Best Racehorse at a glittering awards event in London on Tuesday.

With an official rating of 140, Flightline equals Frankel’s benchmark set in 2012 under the current system.

Previously, the highest rating given to a dirt horse was the 135 achieved by Cigar in 1996.

Flightline retired unbeaten in six starts, earning his historic rating in the Pacific Classic at Del Mar in September, which he won by a staggering 19 and a quarter lengths from Dubai World Cup hero Country Grammer.

He also won the Metropolitan Handicap and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic in 2022, with the latter contest picking up the award for the world’s best race.

Sadler was understandably proud to see Flightline match Frankel’s rating, saying: "He never hid his talent – he was a star from the day he walked into the barn and that’s the way he walked out.

"We’re so grateful to have a horse like this in my career. Most horsemen never get one like this, so I feel very blessed.

"We watched Frankel run. Racing gets more international and we follow what’s happening over here so we thought that was kind of a good comparison."

Baaeed was crowned the world's highest-rated turf horse at 135.

The William Haggas-trained superstar suffered his only defeat in his final racecourse appearance on Qipco British Champions Day after going unbeaten in his first 10 races.

Having taken the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on his final start at three, it was Group One action all the way at four and having outlined his credentials to be the standout miler of his generation was tasked with proving so in the Queen Anne Stakes which kicked off Royal Ascot.

Baaeed received his rating of 135 after his