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Eleven Australian Turf Club races have been officially rated in the Top 100 of the world’s highest-rated Group 1 races released by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and Longines at the World Racing Awards overnight.

The 11 Group 1 Sydney races for 3YOs and upwards across the 2021 calendar year is the most of any race club globally in the Longines Top 100 Races rankings.

The Group 1 $4 million Longines Queen Elizabeth at Royal Randwick was the joint top-rated race in Australia at equal 15th on the overall list. It is the fourth consecutive year the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes has been Australia’s highest-rated race.

The Group 1 $2.5 million Heineken TJ Smith Stakes at Royal Randwick is the world’s highest-rated sprint race and 18th overall in the Top 100.

The $15 million TAB Everest – which has been separately rated as the world’s best sprint race for several years – is not included in the Top 100 official list due to it yet to be afforded formal Group 1 status.

The Group 1 $600,000 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes at Royal Randwick was rated Australia’s highest-rated mile race while the Group 1 $700,000 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill Gardens jumped significantly in rating to equal 18th in the world.

Other Group 1 Australian Turf Club races to feature in the Top 100 were the $1 million Fujitsu George Main Stakes, $500,000 Winx Stakes, $500,000 Heineken 3 Canterbury Stakes, $3m The Star Doncaster Mile, $600,000 Schweppes All Aged Stakes, $1m The Agency George Ryder Stakes and $600,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas.

Australian Turf Club General Manager of Racing and Wagering, James Ross said: “It is particularly pleasing to see eleven of our races amongst the Longines Top 100 including category leading races across sprint, mile and middle-distance ranges in Australia.

“To see such a high number of races featuring in this list is significant recognition for the Australian Turf Club and highlights the world-class strength of Sydney racing across the year. The Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes is again Australia’s highest-rated race and marks it as a truly international event in the southern hemisphere Autumn.

“This race has become further recognised in recent years through the achievements of the immortal Winx and the world’s highest-rated horse in recent seasons Addeybb from the UK.

“Along with these Top 100 rated races, Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club continue to work together to further strengthen Sydney racing through the elevation of flagship races including the $5 million Longines Golden Slipper and new races such as the $15 million TAB Everest and $7.5 million XXXX Golden Eagle.

“In coming weeks and months we look forward to hosting more world-class racing at the Longines Golden Slipper Carnival at Rosehill Gardens and The Star Championships at Royal Randwick."