Horses of the decade: The pick of those outside Europe

First published Sunday, December 22

139 Arrogate

Arrogate’s career may have fizzled out in disappointing fashion as he suffered three defeats in succession in 2017, but his exploits the previous season should not be overlooked. He burst on to the scene when posting a wide-margin win in the Travers Stakes on just his fifth start, breaking the track record, and proved that was no fluke by getting the better of California Chrome in a memorable duel in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, becoming the highest-rated horse in North America since Timeform started collating ratings for that jurisdiction. Arguably his most memorable performance, however, was in the 2017 Dubai World Cup, when he showed all the hallmarks of a champion by overcoming a dreadful start and wide passage to run down a smart field that were not stopping.

138 American Pharoah

American Pharoah ended a 37-year wait for the Triple Crown when landing the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 2015, proving himself to be an exceptional talent. His best performance, however, was in that season’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, when he put up an utterly dominant effort from the front, always looking in complete control as he pulled clear to win by six and a half lengths.

138 California Chrome

California Chrome had a fantastic season in 2014, winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, but he was at his very best in 2016, when winning seven of his eight starts. The only defeat he suffered that season was in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, but there was no shame in failing to fend off the sustained charge of Arrogate in the straight. He was truly top-class and it was a great shame that a foot abscess on the eve of the race ruled him out of the 2015 Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

136 Black Caviar

Black Caviar was successful on all 25 starts during her career, including 15 at Group 1 level. The closest she came to defeat was in the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, when she only just held on after her rider eased off with around 50 yards to go. That success was not a true reflection of her merit, though, as time and time again she proved in a different league to her rivals in Australia, posting a string of performances that earned ratings higher than 130, the benchmark for top-class.

#OTD in 2012 - Black Caviar won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at #RoyalAscot for Australia pic.twitter.com/9f3t4Oa94K

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 23, 2016

134 Winx

Winx proved remarkably versatile and talented during a lengthy and record-breaking career. She was successful on 37 of her 43 starts, at distances between seven furlongs and 11 furlongs, but, more impressively, racked up 33 wins in a row, with a record 25 of them achieved at Group 1 level. She also won the Cox Plate, Australia’s premier weight-for-age contest, a record four times, surpassing the achievement of Kingston Town in the 1980s. Arguably her best performance was in the 2017 George Ryder Stakes, which she won by more than seven lengths.

#Winx does it one last time!

📽️ @AtTheRaces pic.twitter.com/uJARggXEJt

— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) April 13, 2019

134 Wise Dan

Wise Dan perhaps isn’t remembered as fondly as the others on this list but was still a top-class performer who compiled an excellent record, winning 11 times at the highest level, including twice in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. His victory in the 2013 Woodbine Mile was particularly impressive, his cruising speed marking him out as something special.