Flightline ascended to the top of the latest edition of Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings for 2022 — moving ahead of unbeaten European superstar Baaeed — by earning a 139 rating, the second highest in the history of the rankings and the best ever given to a dirt racehorse.

The 139 rating earned by Flightline comes on the heels of an electric performance in the TVG Pacific Classic Stakes, which he won Sept. 3 at Del Mar by 19 ¼ lengths over Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline winner Country Grammer (121 rating).

With his victory, Flightline, who also won the Hill ‘n’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap in June and is undefeated in five career starts, raised his rating 12 points from his previous 127 rating. Historically, this mark is the highest earned by a dirt horse and only one point below Frankel’s benchmark rating of 140 under the current system. Previously, the highest rating given to a dirt horse was the 135 achieved by Hall of Famer Cigar in 1996.

Meanwhile, Baaeed raised his rating to 135 from 128 following his victory in the Juddmonte International Stakes, where he defeated Mishriff (122) by 6 ½ lengths. He is now a perfect 10-for-10 in his career, and his other wins this year include Group 1 victories in the Qatar Sussex Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes, and Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. Baaeed’s rating of 135 is the highest given on turf since Frankel received his 140 in 2012 and is one below the 136 his own sire, Sea the Stars, earned in 2009.

Another U.S.-based newcomer to this month’s rankings is Epicenter, who received a 125 rating following his victory in the Runhappy Travers Stakes, which he won by 5 ¼ lengths Aug. 27 at Saratoga Race Course.