Juddmonte International named best race of 2024

York racecourse can again celebrate having staged the Longines World’s Best Horserace after the Juddmonte International received that accolade for the second time.

Marks are allocated on the ratings of the leading finishers in each race and Derby winner City Of Troy sparkled in a high-class renewal on the Knavesmire in 2024, seeing off French raider Calandagan, Ghostwriter and subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking.

Past winners of the 10-furlong contest, which was first run in 1972 and carried a record prize fund of £1.25million last year, include great names such as Roberto, Dahlia, Sea The Stars and Frankel.

Having previously topped the rankings in 2020, it returned to the summit following recent triumphs for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Japan Cup.

York chief executive and clerk of the course William Derby said: “It is such an honour that our flagship race, the Group One Juddmonte International, has been awarded the Longines World’s Best Horserace 2024.

“It is the ultimate recognition for the vision, commitment and investment by the York Race Committee and Juddmonte over the past four decades. So many people play a part in delivering fabulous horse races such as these at the global elite level; this is a credit to all of them.

“Of course, it would not be possible without the support of the connections of the horses themselves – we are incredibly grateful to those owners of the 13 fabulous thoroughbreds and to the trainers, jockeys and racing staff who contributed to the memorable spectacle, as well as everyone who supports racing at York.

“To win for a second time, so joining a small cohort of the world’s iconic races, only reinforces the commitment of everyone at York to top-quality sporting action.

“We thank Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, who have been instrumental in promoting elite thoroughbred horseracing around the world and I am thrilled to have collected the award from them, on behalf of the entire York team.”

The Juddmonte International beat off strong competition from America’s Travers Stakes, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Australia and the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot, with the Japan Cup, the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Arc finishing in a tie for fifth place.

IFHA chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges said: “The 2024 running of the Juddmonte International at York showcased a powerful performance by City of Troy against a high-quality field. On behalf of the entire IFHA, I want to congratulate our very deserving winners.”

Juddmonte representative Douglas Erskine Crum added: “Juddmonte and Prince Khalid’s family are proud to have sponsored the Juddmonte International for the last 35 years and have seen it attract many of the best middle-distance racehorses in the world in that time.

“Prizemoney for the race increased again last year to reflect its prominent status in global horseracing, and our congratulations go to the excellent team at York racecourse led by William Derby, who have nurtured the race to be consistently at the top of world racing.”

Aidan O’Brien, who extended his record tally of wins in the race to seven, commented: “We were thrilled with City Of Troy’s victory in the Juddmonte International at the Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York, beating an international field in a record time with a pillar to post win under Ryan Moore.

“The Juddmonte International is a tremendous race of global importance to thoroughbred racing and we are delighted to see it rated the Longines World’s Best Race 2024.”