Longines - Calandagan, Champion Stakes, and Japan Cup Honoured at the 2025 Longines World Racing Awards

2026-01-21

Swiss watch brand Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) proudly hosted the 2025 Longines World Racing Awards ceremony in London on 20 January. Calandagan was named the 2025 Longines World’s Best Racehorse, while the Qipco Champion Stakes (G1) and Japan Cup in association with Longines (G1) shared the title of 2025 Longines World’s Best Horse Race.

The horse racing world came together in London on Tuesday to celebrate the 13th time Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) have honoured the top Thoroughbred racehorse of the previous year. Additionally, the Longines World’s Best Horse Race was celebrated for the 11th time.

“Equestrian sports have been part of the Longines story for more than a century,” said Yannick Jenni, the Longines Vice President Sales International. “It is a sport that reflects what our brand stands for: respect for tradition, high performance, and timeless elegance. Our partnership with the IFHA is built on these same principles. Together, we work to support horse racing around the world and to highlight the achievements of its greatest champions. “Today is about recognition. We are here to celebrate exceptional races and exceptional horses, and the many people behind them: owners, trainers, jockeys, and teams, all those whose dedication makes this sport so special.”

During the Longines World Racing Awards ceremony, which was held at The Savoy, Calandagan (IRE) was named the 2025 Longines World’s Best Racehorse with a rating of 130. Calandagan earned his rating in the Qipco Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot. A top-level winner in three countries in 2025, his other major victories came in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1), and Japan Cup in association with Longines (G1).

The winning connections were presented with elegant Longines watches as well as a replica of the Longines World’s Best Racehorse vase, named Equus, by representatives of Longines and IFHA. The Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings are established by international handicappers according to the performance of the horses in top races.

Additionally, the Qipco Champion Stakes (G1) and Japan Cup in association with Longines (G1) were both honoured as the Longines World’s Best Horse Race with an equal rating of 126.25. This is the first time the Champion Stakes has been celebrated, while the Japan Cup first won the title in 2023.

The Longines World’s Best Horse Race Award recognises the best-rated race of the highest- rated Group/Grade 1 international races as established by a panel of international handicappers. The ratings of the top four finishers in each race serve as basis for the assessment. Calandagan, the world’s highest rated horse, won both contests, and it is the first time there has been a tie in this category. Representatives from Ascot, The Jockey Club (UK), QIPCO, and the Japan Racing Association (JRA) were in London to accept the award. They received an elegant Longines timepiece as well as a replica of the trophy, representing a proud horse head.

"Calandagan’s international travels this year added greatly to the spirit of sportsmanship,” said IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “The IFHA and Longines are passionate about honouring the best racing has to offer, and the Longines World Racing Awards are a way to celebrate all of the hard work that goes into delivering high quality racing and champion racehorses.”

Longines and the equestrian world

Longines and the equestrian world have maintained close ties since the 19th century, united by shared values of tradition, elegance and performance. The brand’s involvement in equestrian sports dates to 1869, when Longines produced its first pocket watch with an equestrian motif. In 1878, Longines developed its first chronograph movement, mounted in a case engraved with a jockey and his horse. Since 1912, when the brand first supported a showjumping competition, Longines has been the partner of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events. Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrian sports extends to showjumping, dressage, eventing and flat racing.

About Longines

Longines has been based in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832. The watchmaking house boasts expertise forged in tradition, elegance, and high performance. With its long-standing experience as official timekeeper of world sports championships and partner of international sports federations, the Swiss watch brand has forged strong and lasting links with the sporting world over the years. Renowned for the elegance of its models, Longines is a member of Swatch Group Ltd, the world’s leading manufacturer of timepieces. The brand with the winged hourglass as its emblem has outlets in over 150 countries.

About IFHA

The IFHA is a federation of more than 60 racing authorities from different countries and regions in the world. It is the global leader for the international sport of Thoroughbred racing, seeking to promote all facets of the worldwide sport; protect the welfare of the equine and human athlete; and protect and grow its global social and economic significance for current and future generations.
Major areas of the IFHA’s activities include:

• -  Making and amending the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering
• -  Policy development relating to welfare and safety of horses and riders
• -  International race planning and grading (“black type”)
• -  World rankings
• -  The fight against equine prohibited substances and practices
• -  Harmonisation of racing rules
• -  Certification of IFHA reference laboratories
• -  Fostering commercial development of the racing industry globally.
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• The IFHA is a foundation member with Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) of the International Horse Sports Confederation and is affiliated to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).