American Pharoah Named 2015 Longines World’s Best Racehorse

London (UK) / Saint-Imier (Switzerland), 19 January 2016 – Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) have presented the 2015 Longines World’s Best Racehorse award on 19 January 2016 in London, at the iconic hotel Claridge’s. Thanks to his fabulous “Grand Slam” success, American Pharoah, rated 134, was crowned the 2015 Longines World’s Best Racehorse following his victories in the American Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup Classic. The British racehorse Golden Horn was rated second at 130, while the French mare Treve and American runner Shared Belief shared third place, equally rated at 126. During the same ceremony, a new award for 2015, the Longines World’s Best Horse Race, was presented. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was declared winner of this important prize, with a rating of 125.75. All the winners were presented with elegant Longines watches from the Conquest Classic collection.

As the Official Partner and Official Watch of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, Longines is proud to have presented the Longines World’s Best Racehorse awards, which honour the highest rated horses in the 2015 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. During the third annual ceremony, American Pharoah, at 134, was rated the best racehorse in the world. The winner of the American Triple Crown, which includes the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, put in the highest-rated performance of the year in his final race, the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The British racehorse Golden Horn was rated second at 130, while Treve from France and Shared Belief from the USA occupied third place of the 2015 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, equally placed at 126.

The Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are established by international handicappers according to the performance of the horses in international top races. Last year, the Japanese racehorse Just A Way was named the 2014 Longines World’s Best Racehorse, with a rating of 130.

The connections of American Pharoah—owner Ahmed Zayat, trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Victor Espinoza—were gifted with unique Longines watches specially designed to honour the first Triple Crown victory in 37 years. Produced in a limited series of hundred and eighty pieces, this 42-mm model houses a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement in its round 18 carat rose gold case. As a tribute to the 2015 Triple Crown victory, the six-hour moonphase display of this rose gold model features a moving horse and his jockey, instead of the moon. The transparent case back, through which the scintillating movement can be observed, also bears a commemorative print of the Triple Crown logo. The winning connections of American Pharoah also received a replica of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse vase and a commemorative frame from Louis Romanet, IFHA Chairman.

The owners of the second and third place horses were presented with elegant Longines watches from the Conquest Classic collection by Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing of Longines, and with commemorative frames by Louis Romanet, IFHA Chairman. The Conquest Classic collection is dedicated to those racegoers who share the excitement of the season’s most prestigious race meetings. True to the brand’s values of elegance, tradition and performance, this line is at the same time totally contemporary and perfectly timeless.

A new award by Longines and the IFHA
During the ceremony, the Longines World’s Best Horse Race award was also presented for the first time. The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was crowned the 2015 Longines World’s Best Horse Race with a rating of 125.75. This new 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 over the past three years serve as basis for the assessment. Golden Horn won the race in 2015, while Treve posted back-to-back victories in 2013 and 2014.

Edouard de Rothschild, president of France Galop, received the award for the 2015 Longines World’s Best Horse Race and was presented with an elegant Longines watch from the Conquest Classic collection by Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President and Head of International Marketing of Longines, and with a commemorative frame from Louis Romanet, IFHA Chairman. He also received a replica of the trophy of the Longines World’s Best Horse Race, which represents a proud horse head.

Passionate about horse racing since 1878, Longines is proud to be the Official Partner and Official Watch of IFHA, and to lend its name to the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. The long-term partnership between Longines and the IFHA has seen the establishment of a prestigious set of awards aimed to honour the excellence of horseracing. The Longines World’s Best Racehorse, the Longines World’s Best Horse Race, the Longines and IFHA International Award of Merit, and the Longines World’s Best Jockey respectively pay tribute to the racehorses, horse races, personalities and jockeys who excel at the highest level of their sport.

About Longines
Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federation. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 150 countries.

For further information please contact:
Longines International Public Relations
2610 Saint-Imier, Switzerland
publicrelations@longines.com
www.longines.com

About IFHA
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) is the world peak body for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing. Its members are the national racing authorities across the globe which stage Thoroughbred races.

Major areas of the IFHA’s activities include:
•           Making and amending the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering (the IABRW)
•           Policy development relating to welfare and safety of horses and riders
•           International Race Planning and Grading (“black type”)
•           World Rankings
•           Equine Prohibited Substances and Practices
•           Harmonization of Race Day Rules
•           Fostering commercial development of the racing industry globally

The IFHA is a foundation member with Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) of the International Horse Sports Confederation and is affiliated to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Source: International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)