The first edition of the 2025 Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings is led by Japanese star 4-year-old Forever Young, who was awarded a 128 rating for his scintillating victory over Romantic Warrior in the $20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 22 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse.

Forever Young, the third-place finisher last year in both the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic, re-rallied in the stretch after being passed by Romantic Warrior to win by a neck in a thrilling edition of the Saudi Cup.

Romantic Warrior earned a 127 rating for the Saudi Cup and ranks a clear second, three points ahead of White Abarrio and Hong Kong sprinter Ka Ying Rising, who are tied at 124.

U.S.-based White Abarrio won the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes by 6 ¼ lengths Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park to earn his 124 rating. The runner-up from that race, Locked, subsequently won the $301,500 Santa Anita Handicap presented by Yaamava' Resort & Casino by 8 ½ lengths and ranks fifth on the Longines World’s Best Racehorse rankings at 123.