On Jan. 23, Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) proudly hosted the 2023 Longines World Racing Awards ceremony in London. Equinox won the 2023 Longines World’s Best Racehorse title, while the Japan Cup in association with Longines (G1) was named the 2023 Longines World’s Best Horse Race.
Equinox (JPN) was named the 2023 Longines World’s Best Racehorse with a rating of 135. This is the highest mark a Japanese horse has received under the current system, besting the 134 that El Condor Pasa earned in 1999. It is the second time a horse from Japan has won the Longines World’s Best Racehorse title, following Just A Way in 2014.

Equinox earned his rating in the Japan Cup in association with Longines (G1), which he took by four lengths over Liberty Island, who won the Japanese Triple Crown for fillies earlier in the season. Equinox was undefeated in 2023, with his other victories coming in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), Takarazuka Kinen (G1), and Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1). The Japan Cup was the final race of his storied career. Tetsuya Kimura trained Equinox for Silk Racing, and he was ridden to victory by Christophe Lemaire.