Approach and Curlin top world rankings

Epsom Derby winner New Approach was today rated the joint-best horse when the 2008 World Thoroughbred Rankings were unveiled in London today.

Jim Bolger's colt came joint-top with American superstar Curlin on a rating of 130, one point clear of Breeders' Cup Classic hero Raven's Pass, with Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava on 128.

The rating of New Approach as the best racehorse of 2008 will rankle with some as the horse was beaten in three of his six outings and his best performance coming with a six-length victory in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket in October where the opposition was not of the highest quality.

Raven's Pass is unluckily rated behind Curlin, a horse he beat at Santa Anita, while Zarkava paid for getting her 3lb fillies' allowance after ending her seven-race career unbeaten with victory in the Arc at Longchamp in October.