THE INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS
By Sarah Whitelaw . 17 January 2002
Every year the International Classifications spark controversy and this year promises to be no different in that respect. Godolphin’s brilliant Sakhee, once beaten this year, has topped the list ahead of hype horses Galileo, Fantastic Light and Point Given. The handsome son of Bahri was superb in his wins in the Juddmonte International and the Arc, both of which he captured with supreme ease.Sakhee was given 133 pounds on the classifications, one pound below last year’s top horse, the ill-fated Dubai Millennium.
His ultra consistent stable mate Fantastic Light was rated 4 pounds below on 129, just ahead of the dual Breeders Cup Classic winner Tiznow (on 128) and leading American sprinters Delaware Township and Kona Gold (both on 127).The highest rated older mares were the multiple grade 1 winning daughter of Theatrical, Astra and last year's Eclipse Award winner, Perfect Sting on 120.
The three year olds were headed by Point Given on 130 just ahead of Epsom and Irish Derby star Galileo, also winner of the King George, on 129. This means this year’s generation leader was rated 3 pounds below the consistently underrated Sinndar.
The Breeders Cup Sprinter winner, Squirtle Squirt, was next best on 126 with unusually the high class Japanese three year old, Kurofune, on 125. Kurofune was rated equal to Europe’s star sprinter Mozart and Kentucky Derby hero, Monarchos as well as the St Leger Milan. Milan, who also ran second in the Breeders Cup Turf, is one of the highest rated St Leger winners of the last decade. The highest rated filly was Banks Hill on 123.
The two year olds were a fairly strong bunch with the leader Johannesburg given 126. The colt, who won his four group/grade 1 races in four different countries, was rated 4 pounds ahead of National Stakes winner Hawk Wing and the top filly, Queens Logic.
Click here for 2yo Classification listing link