Sea The Stars crowned champion racehorse, while Sinndar and Dalakhani’s progeny also feature highly. Gilltown Stud resident Sea The Stars received yet another accolade following his exceptional racing career when receiving a rating of 136 from the panel of international handicappers to top the World Thoroughbred Rankings for 2009. Unbeaten at three he won six races at Group One level and became the first horse to complete the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and Arc treble. Sea The Stars’ best performance of the year was judged to have been in the Gr 1 Irish Champion Stakes over ten furlongs at Leopardstown. The figure of 136 is the highest to have been awarded since the launch of the World Thoroughbred Rankings in 2004.

Aga Khan sires Sinndar and Dalakhani were well represented among the overall leading performers for 2009 as their offspring Youmzain and Conduit, both rated at 125, were among those sharing the honours for top older male.

The Haras de Bonneval based Sinndar also appeared in the juveniles listing as sire of Gr 1 Marcel Boussac heroine Rosanara. With a rating of 114, she is the second-highest rated French two-year-old filly and third highest in Europe.

The Aga Khan’s other Gr 1 winning juvenile of 2009, Siyouni, was rewarded with a figure of 118, making him the best two-year-old in France and the joint third best two-year-old in Europe.

Two further Aga Khan Group 1 winners over Arc weekend also impressed the international panel, with Prix de la Forêt scorer Varenar awarded a figure of 121 and Shalanaya (Prix de l’Opéra) rated 119. Hong Kong Vase winner Daryakana was given a rating of 117, like Irish Derby third Mourayan, while Ashalanda was rated 115 for her success in the Group 2 Pride Stakes.

Updated on 14/01/2010