Kentucky-breds City of Troy and Laurel River were recognized in January as the co-2024 Longines World’s Best Racehorse. Both horses were awarded the highest rating of 128. It was just the fifth in the award’s 22-year history that there was a tie at the top.
City of Troy, a 3-year-old son of Triple Crown winner Justify, was bred in Kentucky by Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt and campaigned by Coolmore. Also named the 2024 Cartier Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Colt, City of Troy won the Epsom Derby (G1), the International S. (G1), and the Eclipse S. (G1) during his sophomore season. He was trained in Ireland by Aiden O’Brien.
Laurel River, bred and raced by Juddmonte Farm, won the 2024 Dubai World Cup (G1) by 8 ½ lengths at Meydan in 2024. Conditioned by Bhupat Seemar, Laurel River became the first United Arab Emirates-trained horse to be rated as the top horse in the world. He joins fellow Juddmonte homebreds such as Frankel (2011-12), Arrogate (2016-17), and Enable (2019) to have won the honor.