American superstar Flightline crowned world’s best horse – and ranked as good as Frankel
AMERICAN superstar Flightline has officially been ranked as good as Frankel.
The recently-retired five-year-old was crowned the world’s best racehorse at a swanky awards lunch in London on Tuesday.
Getty Images – GettyFlightline has been crowned the world’s best racehorse[/caption]
And in receiving a handicap mark of 140, it puts him on a par with the legendary racehorse who was a perfect 14-14 for trainer Sir Henry Cecil.
The news hasn’t gone down particularly well with some British punters, who labelled the controversial announcement as a ‘disgrace’.
Frankel had 14 starts in his career, winning 10 Group 1s, while Flightline had just six starts for four top-level wins, with some arguing he didn’t have enough of a body of work to earn the same ranking.
But in winning the Pacific Classic by 19 lengths and the Breeders’ Cup Classic by eight lengths, the group of top international handicappers who dish out these awards decided he was as good as the great horse.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £40 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: £5 in Free Bets when you place a £10 bet on Horse Racing – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. When you sign-up via Mobile using promo code P40 and place a bet of £10/€10 or more we will give you 4x £10/€10 free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Virtual markets excluded. #ad begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: Applies to £10+ singles placed on any Horse racing market, min odds 1/2 (1.5). £5 Free bet will be awarded after qualifying bet settlement, valid for 30 days. Opt-In Required. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
Flightline’s trainer John Sadler, who has been enjoying the sites in London this weekend, said: “He never hid his talent.
“He was a star from the day he walked into the barn and that’s the way he walked out.
“We’re so grateful to have a horse like this in my career. Most horsemen never get one like this, so I feel very blessed.
“We watched Frankel run. Racing gets more international and we follow what’s happening over here so we thought that was kind of a good comparison.
“He’s gone off to stud now and now his career his over we can look back and enjoy it a lot more without any pressure.”
Most read in Horse Racing
Runner-up was William Haggas’ Baaeed who finished with a rating of 135, making him the best turf horse on the planet.
His big-race jockey Jim Crowley said: “It was an experience like I’ve never experienced before, it was like everything happened in slow motion.
“He was just a pleasure to ride, there was never a moment’s worry. When I could go between horses and just keep taking a pull and all season I had never really let the handbrake off. I always knew it was there so when I finally did let go, it was a great feeling.
“Just to hear the crowd clapping was unusual. Normally they cheer, but it was just applause and appreciation.”
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
