Flightline (Tapit) is about to start his second career with a clean slate and, such being the mysteries of our walk of life, with no guarantees of equivalent success. But on Tuesday the stature he achieved in his meteoric career, albeit comprising no more than six starts, was sealed by his formal confirmation as the most accomplished racehorse on the planet in 2022—and an exact match, on an official rating of 140, for the European great Frankel (GB).

Arguably a mere numerical rating could only confine his brilliance, and not truly measure it. John Sadler, his trainer, feels that none of those who braved competition with Flightline were able to take him anywhere near his limit. By the same token, however, the Longines World Racing Awards can at least assist comparisons with two groups that could never offer him a benchmark of flesh and blood: namely, horses like Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), similarly bestriding inferiors over the water, where he was awarded a rating of 135; and also those spectral presences who have either gone before, like Secretariat, or have preceded Flightline to the attempted replication of their genetic prowess, like Frankel himself.

Awarding the two “F”-freaks an identical rating may have appeared a rather convenient solution, especially as Flightline had been rated 139 after his runaway success in the GI Pacific Classic. Dominic Gardiner-Hill, BHA head of handicapping, explained that international colleagues had debated long and hard at that time whether to go to 140, but decided to wait for corroboration in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. That was emphatically forthcoming, so much so that the Classic was here declared the best run in 2022, assessed by an average rating for the first four of 126.75.

Flightline was rated 5lbs higher than Baaeed; then followed, at a respectful distance, Japanese star Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) on 126 alongside Aussie speedball Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}). Leading American sophomore Epicenter (Not This Time) shares a ranking of 125 with Life Is Good (Into Mischief) and Euro star Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}). As for those recent champions measured during the evolving standardization of international handicaps (obviously Secretariat and others long predated this kind of exercise), Sea The Stars (Ire) reached 136, with Cigar achieving the highest previous dirt mark on 135. American Pharoah and Arrogate shared 134.

Such debates as Frankel vs. Flightline can, of course, never be resolved and for many of us there seems little point in pursuing them. An occasion like this was sooner a chance to celebrate our good fortune, in witnessing a generational talent; and to honor those horsemen and -women so integral to Flightline's fulfilment that he, too, can count himself lucky that he happened to enter their supervision.

If anyone imagines that it was simply a question of staying out of his way, then just consider these two samples of the way the crew around Flightline were equal to their historic opportunity. His GI Pacific Classic success, perhaps his defining moment in drawing just shy of 20 lengths clear, was a fourth in five years for his trainer John Sadler (with Hronis Racing a beneficiary every time). And his memorable final bow at Keeneland made him the third GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner bought at auction by David Ingordo, though still only in his 40s.

It was fitting, then, that many who have contributed to this exhilarating ride were present to salute their invincible. “You know, he never hid his talent,” said Sadler on accepting his prize. “He was a star from the day he first walked into the barn, and that was the way he walked out. Really we're so grateful to have had a horse like this: most horsemen never will, and I feel very blessed.

“I'd like to thank Longines and IFHA, everybody's treated us fabulously here in London, and obviously the ownership group has been sensational. Jane Lyon bred a beautiful horse. And I think another point is that thanks to the Jockey Club and Breeders' Cup, this horse ran medication-free, which I think fits really well with the international community moving forward.”

This remark prompted notably warm applause. Sadler's own role, meanwhile, was emphasized by all the partners in the horse, for instance by Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds. “People try to put it into words but it was like dealing with Picasso at work,” he said. “And when I think about the Hall of Fame… Look, obviously I'm biased. But what I think was reassuring to all of us is that John truly is experienced and it was really cool to see him take great pride in the work that he and his team did. I think it's providence that the horse ended up in John Sadler's hands.

“I also want to mention David Ingordo, who picked the horse out: his 'tentacles' with John meant that all these things kind of came together, and he shows the power of the partnership. When you have a horse like this, at this level, there's a confidence you can have when you know you're in the right hands. I think people across the world saw very quickly that John Sadler was the one person that fits this horse like a glove.”

Needless to say, it was a shame that sporadic mishaps prevented Flightline from demonstrating the sheer durability that we used to demand of champions in eras past. But it always felt fanciful to expect his owners to persevere for another year on the racetrack. It would have been very difficult to find horses prepared to take him on, on the domestic stage, and evidently there was little appetite to go and plunder huge purses in the desert. Moreover the potential insurance costs of venturing overseas, for instance to Royal Ascot, would presumably have been mind-boggling.

“If he's started his career earlier, and you're asking the same question of a 3-year-old, then you'd still have all those races for older horses to run in,” reasoned Bill Farish, who was represented in the ownership group through Woodford Thoroughbreds and now supervises Flightline's new career at Lane's End. “But he's run in those already, so all you'd be doing is backtracking. When a stallion starts as a 5-year-old, that's late enough: starting at six is another thing again.”

“I felt he had nothing more to prove,” said Flightline's breeder (and founding partner) Jane Lyon of Summer Wind Farm, of her contribution to the partners' consensus. “It was beautiful to watch him run. But I think we'd just have been chasing purses and he didn't deserve that. And the danger to a horse in training is one [that makes me] personally very happy that he's gone to the breeding shed.”

Lyon and her farm manager Bobby Spalding reported that Flightline's half-brother by Curlin, named Eagles Flight, will soon be leaving their care to begin the breaking-in process at WinStar. “He's really grown, he's gotten big, a gorgeous horse, a real deep bay with dark mane and tail,” Spalding said. “He's a nice horse to be around, he and Flightline are very similar in nature.”

Their dam Feathered (Indian Charlie) missed on a single late cover to Tapit but she'll be returning to Gainesway in the quest of a full-sibling to the champion.

“She has a yearling filly by Into Mischief,” said Lyon. “But unfortunately when we sent her back to Tapit, he only had one chance to breed her because of the late foaling–and she did not catch. So she has a spring off, which she certainly deserves, but she'd better get ready because we'll be sending her back!”

Interestingly for the audience gathered here, Feathered ended her career on turf, a graded stakes winner on that surface before finishing second in the GI American Oaks. She is out of the Dynaformer mare Receipt, herself stakes-placed on grass, and hopes are high that Flightline's superstar status could help break down the notorious parochialism of European breeders regarding dirt sires.

Lyon said: “I think because Feathered could run on dirt and turf and because Flightline, in this humble opinion, is a super example of the species, I think it's entirely possible that his foals could run on either surface. And anything else you might throw at them!”

Spalding named one leading bloodstock adviser counselling European clients to send mares to Flightline.

“He really believes in him on turf, and there are some Japanese breeders using him too,” he said. “He's a very agile horse, not at all one-paced, and should really suit the racing here.”

“We definitely have encouraged it,” Farish added, addressing this dimension of the horse's stallion potential. “We've had some good participation in his book, with a fair number of turf mares and also quite a few American mares bought to go over to Japan. So hopefully we'll have a good spread of horses because I remember when Kingmambo really hit, having that broad international appeal was amazing.

“He's a wonderful size, 16.2, which is viewed as a little bigger over here than it is at home but I think one of the things people are noticing about Flightline, when they come to see him, is that he's not a great big horse. I would have loved to see him run on turf, that would have been fun because I think he could run on anything. Hopefully he'll get enough of a chance [to prove his versatility] because there are just so many turf mares in America now, with turf racing getting more and more profile.”

Farish was relieved to report that test-breeding the farm's priceless new resident, a tense moment with any new stallion, had proved a great success.

“Luckily it has all gone very, very well,” he said. “You really hope that their initial experience is a good one, so they don't have anything negative in their mind about the whole thing. You definitely could, with any horse. But he's taken to his job really well. He's such an intelligent horse, he's just got a great mind on him and figures things out quickly. He was in and out of the shed in four minutes, one jump. And the dismount sample looks great: lots of swimmers! All that couldn't look better.”

Flightline's superiority was such that he dragged up the average ratings of the Keeneland protagonists to a global high for the year. None of the second, third and fourth ever actually achieved that giddy average of 126.75 in his own right! Flightline performed a similar service, incidentally, for both the other races he contested in 2022. These three were the only American races that broke European domination of the top 10.

Drew Fleming, president and CEO of the Breeders' Cup, was present to celebrate the Classic's return to a pinnacle last scaled in 2016. It felt like a particularly welcome validation in a changing international landscape, where horsemen nowadays are traveling elite animals in February and March to peak again for eye-watering prizes in Saudi Arabia and Dubai.

“It's fantastic,” Fleming said. “It was a truly spectacular race and it was like the Beatles were there, round the paddock. This is a testament to racing and it's an honor to the Breeders' Cup just to be included among those [world leading] races and for us to win Longines Best Race Award is amazing. We've got a wonderful team, constantly making sure that the Breeders' Cup will have the best racehorses compete. And thanks to our owners and breeders and nominators that contribute to the Breeders' Cup, which allow us to have $31 million of purses and awards. That certainly helps.”

The one missing ingredient in recent times has been a European challenger in the Classic. Was that a priority going forward? “Absolutely!” Fleming replied. “The more international our races can be, the stronger the Breeders' Cup is. I think nothing's off the table with the Breeders' Cup: you saw in 2021 at Del Mar that we had significant success with the Japanese participation, and we look forward to continuing that momentum.”

Though his limited appearances surely curtailed his public fanbase, Flightline did contribute to evangelism for the sport in highlighting a growing breadth of opportunity in ownership. Two stakes in the horse were further diluted through partnership–at a relatively high level with West Point, and via as many as 50 smaller shares in Woodford.

“It was amazing to see all their families get into it,” said Farish, noting that some of the investors have been inspired to reach for the next level. “It really was a treat, because that's what we did it for: the possibility that someday they could have a great horse. They've had a blast, and how could it not make you more passionate?”

“It shows owners across the world that you have to keep dreaming,” Finley agreed. “Either you have to buy horses or breed horses, but as long as you stay in the business, as long as you stay at it, then you have a shot. These partnerships are the future of the business.”

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The in-person event will take place at Banqueting House in London. This year marked the 400th anniversary of the building, which is one of the Historic Royal Palaces and is the only surviving portion of the lost Palace of Whitehall. The live stream of the ceremony will be released on multiple digital platforms including World Horse Racing. Additionally, multiple other racing industry players from around the globe will show the awards, including the TDN on its homepage, and on our social media channels.

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From the National Horse Racing Museum in Newmarket, England, presenter Francesca Cumani revealed that the title of 2021 Longines World's Best Racehorse belonged to Knicks Go, while the 2021 Longines World's Best Horse Race was the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) in France. During the ceremony, Ryan Moore was also celebrated as the 2021 Longines World's Best Jockey.

Knicks Go finished 2021 on a rating of 129, which was the highest in the world. He earned that rating in the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in his final start of the year. Knicks Go began his season by taking the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) last January, and he added additional victories in the Whitney Stakes (G1), Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3), and Lukas Classic Stakes (G3) before his dominant win at the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

There was a three-way tie for second between Europe's Adayar (IRE), Mishriff (IRE), and St Mark's Basilica (FR), who all finished 2021 on a rating of 127. Adayar earned his rating in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (G1); Mishriff achieved that mark with his victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1); and St Mark's Basilica received his rating from having won the Coral-Eclipse (G1).

The Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings are established by international handicappers according to the performance of the horses in top races. In the previous edition, Ghaiyyath (IRE) was awarded the 2020 Longines World's Best Racehorse title.

The Longines World Racing Awards also celebrated the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), held at ParisLongchamp in France, as the 2021 Longines World's Best Horse Race with a rating of 124.75. This award recognizes the best-rated race of the highest-rated Group 1 international races as established by a panel of international handicappers. The ratings of the top four finishers in each race serve as basis for the assessment.

This is the fifth time the Arc has won the award, with additional recognition coming in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019. America's Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) won in 2016, while England's Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) took the title in 2020.

During the ceremony, Ryan Moore was also honoured as the Longines World's Best Jockey of the year. The awarding of the Longines World's Best Jockey title is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races as established for the year by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. Moore also was named the Longines World's Best Jockey in 2014 and 2016.

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The ninth edition of the ceremony will be released on multiple digital platforms including the social media accounts of Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, which collaborate to organise the event.

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Mishriff improved his rating to 127 from 124 with an effortless victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), which he won by six lengths. Earlier this season, Mishriff won the Saudi Cup and Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) before returning to Europe.

In July, Adayar earned his rating of 127 when he defeated Mishriff in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (G1), while St Mark's Basilica received that mark after having won the Coral-Eclipse (G1) over Aeeybb (IRE) [121] and Mishriff. St Mark's Basilica is expected to race on Saturday in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) during Longines Irish Champions Weekend.

Meanwhile, in his first attempt at top level company, Baaeed (GB) [121] took the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) by 1 ¼ lengths. In doing so, he improved his rating to 121 from 120, which he had earned after his 6 ½ length score in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (G3) in July.

Additionally, multiple horses impressed during the Saratoga meet in the United States. Jackie's Warrior (USA) [120] is now ranked after beating Life Is Good (USA) [120] by a neck in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1), while Midnight Bourbon (USA) [120] joins the rankings after finishing second by a neck to Essential Quality (USA) [121] in the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1).

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Making his first start since taking the Cazoo Derby (G1), Adayar defeated MISHRIFF [124] by 1 ¾ lengths to win the King George. As a result, Adayar improved his rating to 127 from 121 to take his place at the top alongside St Mark's Basilica, who had defeated Addeybb [121] and Mishriff in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) at the beginning of July to receive his rating.

Mishriff also improved his rating in the King George, which has gone up to 124 from 122. He now sits in the co-fourth position along with Knicks Go [124], who earned his rating after winning the Whitney Stakes (G1) by 4 ½ lengths. They share co-fourth with Australian sprinting star Nature Strip [124].

Meanwhile, Hurricane Lane [121] followed his victory in Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) with a six-length romp in the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) to raise his rating to 121 from 120.

Additionally, several horses have joined the rankings at a rating of 120. Baaeed [120] earned his rating with a dominant 6 ½ length score in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (G3); Starman [120] is ranked following his victory in the Darley July Cup Stakes (G1) by 1 ¼ lengths; and Suesa [120] took the King George Qatar Stakes (G2) by three lengths to earn her spot.

The LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee and published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

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In the Eclipse, St Mark's Basilica defeated Addeybb (IRE) [121] by 3 ½ lengths, while Mishriff (IRE) [122] was a neck behind in third. St Mark's Basilica had previously been rated at 120 following his victory in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (G1), and he is a perfect three-for-three this season, as he also won the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) to start his 2021 campaign.

Addeybb came into the Eclipse having won the LONGINES Queen Elizabeth Stakes G1) in Australia in April, while Mishriff was making his first start since taking the LONGINES Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) in March.

Meanwhile, Poetic Flare (IRE) [122] and Subjectivist (GB) [122] find themselves ranked in the co-fourth position following their impressive efforts during Royal Ascot. Poetic Flare won the St James's Palace Stakes (G1) by 4 ¼ lengths, while Subjectivist was victorious in the Gold Cup (G1) by five lengths.

In Japan, Chrono Genesis (JPN) [120] took the Takarazuka Kinen (G1) by 2 ½ lengths to join the rankings. It was her first start since finishing second to Mishriff in the LONGINES Dubai Sheema Classic (G1).

Additionally, Hurricane Lane (IRE) [120] joins the rankings following his score in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1).

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With his 1 ½-length victory in the Lockinge, Palace Pier improved his rating to 125 from 121 and is now two-for-two in 2021. He came into the race off of his winning seasonal debut in the bet365 Mile (G2), which he won by eight lengths. Palace Pier is expected to race next in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) during Royal Ascot.

Additionally, Domestic Spending (GB) [122] joins Mishriff (IRE) [122] and Mystic Guide (USA) [122] in the third position after winning the Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes (G1) by 2 ¾ lengths. His first start of the year came in May when he dead-heated for first in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes (G1).

There is now a six-way tie for the sixth position following a number of impressive performances around the world. In England, Adayar (IRE) [121] won the Cazoo Derby (G1) by 4 ½ lengths, and Pyledriver (GB) [121] defeated Al Aasy (IRE) [120] by a neck in the Coral Coronation Cup (G1). In the United States, Essential Quality (USA) [121] took the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) by 1 ¼ lengths, while in Japan Gran Alegria (JPN) [121] won the Victoria Mile (G1) by four lengths.

A number of horses are also equally rated at 120, making them co-12th in the latest rankings. In addition to Al Aasy, newcomers include Shahryar (JPN) [120], who defeated Efforia (JPN) [120] by a nose in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (G1); Snowfall (JPN) [120], who romped home in the Cazoo Oaks (G1) by a record 16 lengths; St Mark's Basilica (FR) [120], who won the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (G1) by 1 ¾ lengths; and Zaaki (GB) [120], who joins the rankings following his victory in the Channel 7 Doomben Cup (G1), which he won by seven lengths.

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Mishriff, who was already at the top of the rankings following his victory in the Saudi Cup, switched back to turf and won the LONGINES Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) in his next start. Mystic Guide, meanwhile, took the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) by 3 ¾ lengths to land at the top of the rankings. He came into the race having won the Razorback Handicap (G3) by six lengths to begin his 2021 campaign.

Lord North [120] is also in the top five after winning in Dubai. He earned his ranking by being victorious in the Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1), which he took by three lengths in his first start of the year.

Joining Australia's Nature Strip [121] in the co-third spot is Eduardo [121], who is a perfect two-for-two this season. Eduardo defeated Nature Strip by a short head in the Hyland Race Colours Challenge Stakes (G2) and then went on to win the Bisley Workwear Galaxy (G1) by 3 ½ lengths.

Several other horses who have impressed in Australia this season find themselves ranked as well, including Mugatoo [119], who defeated Russian Camelot [118] by half a length in the All-Star Mile. Additionally, Sir Dragonet [118] won the Kia Tancred Stakes (G1) by 2 ¼ lengths to join the rankings.

Elsewhere, Malmoos [119] is ranked after winning the World Sports Betting SA Derby (G1) by 5 ¼ lengths to claim South Africa's Triple Crown. He also won the World Sports Betting S A Classic (G1) and World Sports Betting Gauteng Guineas (G2) to accomplish the feat.

In America, Colonel Liam [118] is two-for-two this year after winning the Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2) following his score in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1), and champion filly Swiss Skydiver [118] made her seasonal debut a winning one when she took the Beholder Mile Stakes (G1) by 2 ¾ lengths.

In Japan, Lei Papale [118] is ranked after she took the Osaka Hai (G1) by 4 lengths, and in France, Skalleti [118] began his season with a victory in the Prix Exbury (G3) by 3 ½ lengths to join the rankings.

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Mishriff posted a one length victory in the Saudi Cup over Charlatan [120], who was also making his first start of 2021. Last year, Mishriff's biggest score came when he won the Prix du Jockey Club (G1) in France.

Australia's Nature Strip (AUS) [121] is the second highest rated horse in the first edition of the rankings for 2021 after his half-length win in the Black Caviar Lightning (G1) in February, which served as the multiple Group 1 winner's first start of the season.

In co-third, along with Charlatan, are Hong Kong-based runners Exultant [120] and Golden Sixty (AUS) [120]. Golden Sixty, who has now won 13 races in a row, took the Stewards' Cup (G1) in January over Southern Legend [118] and Ka Ying Star [117], and he beat Furore [117] and Exultant in the Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (G1) in February. Exultant came into that race having finished second in the Centenary Vase (G3) while carrying 133lbs.

Three horses sit in the co-sixth position as well. America's Knicks Go [119], who finished fourth in the Saudi Cup, started his 2021 campaign with a 2 ¾-length victory in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), while undefeated Life Is Good [119] is the highest rated 3-year-old thus far after winning the San Felipe Stakes (G2) by eight lengths.

In South Africa, Rainbow Bridge [119] added to his list of accomplishments by taking the Cape Town Met presented by Cape Racing (G1) in January by 1 ¾ lengths.

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