The Thoroughbred Racing Commentary (TRC) Global Rankings are a statistical compilation of the world's leading participants, both human and equine. They are updated weekly to reflect the most current and accurate picture of the thoroughbred world at a given point in time.
Australia has two trainers in the top 10 with Chris Waller seventh and James Cummings tenth. Notably, both have bases at Flemington Racecourse and the two dominated last month's Melbourne Cup Carnival with Waller saddling up seven winners and Cummings five.
The world's number one trainer remains 2018 Melbourne Cup-winning handler Charlie Appleby, while Irish maestro Aidan O'Brien and New Zealand wonder Jamie Richards - who both won Group 1 races over the 2019 Melbourne Cup Carnival - sit sixth and eighth respectively.
James McDonald, who recently set a new record for winners during a Melbourne Cup Carnival, is listed as the world's best rider ahead of the timeless Frankie Dettori and American superstar Joel Rosario. He is the only Australian jockey in the top 20, with the Perth-based William Pike next best at 21.
Owners Godolphin (Willowy), Coolmore (Home Affairs) and Peters Investments (Superstorm) all had Group 1 winners over the Melbourne Cup Carnival in 2021 and they sit first, second and fifth in the owners' rankings.
Third and fourth are Shadwell and Sunday Racing, who have both had Melbourne Cup winners before - Shadwell with At Talaq (1986) and Jeune (1994) and Sunday Racing with Delta Blues (2006).
The TRC system is considered to be one of the more impartial methods at differentiating horses from a variety of jurisdictions.
Their most recent rankings have Darley Sprint Classic winner Nature Strip sixth, Lexus Melbourne Cup heroine Verry Elleegant ninth and Paramount+ Mackinnon Stakes victor Zaaki 13th. They are the only three Australian-trained horses in the top 20, with Incentivise next best at 22nd following his wins in the PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes and the TAB Turnbull Stakes and his runner-up finish in the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
They sit behind Breeders' Cup Classic winner Knicks Go, retired Coolmore sensation St Mark's Basilica and Japanese darling Gran Alegria, who fill the top three positions.
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon said the TRC rankings are a reflection of the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s position, both at home and abroad.
“The Melbourne Cup Carnival is Australia’s leading racing festival and also synonymous with Australian racing worldwide and it is recognised as such in these rankings,” Mr Jordon said.
“To see so many people and horses who have starred at Flemington recognised among the world’s best really is a tribute to the four-day carnival and we look forward to seeing many of the world’s leading trainers, jockeys and horses back at Flemington in 2022.
“It is also fitting that, as the only metropolitan training base in Melbourne, Flemington trainers sit inside the top 10. Only the home of horse racing, Newmarket in the UK, surpasses Flemington as a home for top 10 trainers, which is a tribute to the facilities on offer for horsemen at the track.”
