On top of the world

Derby winner Workforce heads the World Thoroughbred Rankings but he is only one of four Darley-sired horses in the top five

After his extraordinary record-breaking performance at Epsom, it’s no surprise to see Workforce at the top of the World Thoroughbred Rankings list. The son of King's Best has been given a mark of 127, a pound clear of Elusive Quality colt Quality Road, winner this year of the Met Mile and Donn Handicap. With a rating of 126, the four-year-old is the best older horse in the world.

It’s hard to imagine any horse outshining Zenyatta, the daughter of Street Cry who is unbeaten in 17 consecutive starts, 11 of which have been at Grade One level. She is rightly rated the best mare or filly anywhere in the world with a figure of 125, level with the great miler Paco Boy.

Just beneath America’s darling, in joint fifth-place, is Shamardal’s first-crop dual Classic winner Lope De Vega. When the German-bred colt crossed the line in front in the Prix du Jockey-Club he became the first horse since his own sire to win the French Derby after having won the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. Rated 124, he is on the same mark as Coronation Cup winner Fame And Glory and St James’s Palace Stakes hero Byword.