The latest LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings were released on Thursday by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities - click here for the list.
The 4YO son of High Chaparral and Stareel lowered the colours of previously unbeaten champion mare Atlantic Jewel in September's MRC Underwood S. G1 over 1800 metres, and returned in the Autumn to defeat Sacred Falls, Carlton House and Silent Achiever in the ATC Queen Elizabeth S. G1. The latter performance, in which Dundeel kicked clear off a punishing pace, ranks him second only to northern hemisphere 4YO Magician among the world's best entires over 2000 metres on turf. Magician split two outstanding mares, The Fugue and Treve in last month's Royal Ascot Prince of Wales's S. G1 to earn a figure of 123.
In Australia and New Zealand, only the world's top-rated sprinter Lankan Rupee (123), bred and raced in Australia by Teeley Assets, ranks above Dundeel, who joins Lankan Rupee's champion sire Redoute's Choice on the Arrowfield Stud roster this Spring. Dundeel retires with 10 wins, five placings and $5.3 million prizemoney from 19 starts at 2, 3 and four.
Sacred Falls is the only other Australasian performer to make the leading group of horses on the published world rankings with a figure of 120. He won the 1600-metre ATC Doncaster H. G1 for the second time this season, but has been rated on his Queen Elizabeth second behind Dundeel, in the Intermediate category (1900m-2100m).
Dundeel was bred in New Zealand by Hawke's Bay couple Murray & Jo Andersen who raced him with Arrowfield, Tracy Andersen, Gavin Chaplow, Sharyn & Mike Craig, Tony & Wendy Craig, David & Jenny Morison, Tony Muollo & Dino Focas. He was prepared for that partnership by leading New Zealand trainers Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, and ridden in all but one of his 19 career starts by the brilliant young Kiwi jockey James McDonald.
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