Charlie Appleby's Group One winning star Ghaiyyath has shot to the top of the Cartier Horse Of The Year standings after his impressive winning performance in the Juddmonte International at York last week.
The five year old son of Dubawi was known last season for jet setting all over the globe to win races, which saw him land a Group One in Germany by 14 lengths a Group Two in France and also a Group Three in Meydan.
This term he started in the Group One Coronation Cup at Newmarket at the start of June and saw off Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck along with three time Ascot Gold Cup winner Stradivarius, subsequently breaking the track record.
In the first weekend of July he stepped up for another Group One event at Sandown in the Coral Eclipse and although all the talk was about Enable's return, this horse was the one with the headlines after a stunning front running performance.
He entered the Juddmonte International seeking a hat-trick of black type wins for the season and like always his front running effort was not to be caught seeing off another superb field of runners on the Knavesmire.
The star of 2020 so far?! 🤔🌟
— The Winners Enclosure (@TWEnclosure) August 20, 2020
GHAIYYATH continued his fantastic year with a convincing victory in yesterdays Juddmonte International 👏🏼
📈 He's in to as short as 5/1 from 8/1 for the Arc!
Backing him?! 🤔
🎬 @RacingTV pic.twitter.com/Xrk2tDVHxm
The Godolphin star became the first horse to hit the ton in the horse of the year standings this season with 102 points and also became the highest rated horse on the flat this season with a mark of 132.
The Godolphin owned superstar only sits at the top of the leaderboard by six points with Aidan O'Brien's Love hot on his heels after she also made it three Group One wins in a row after landing the 1000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks and the Yorkshire Oaks.
The two equine stars are clear of a decent group of horses with Battaash, Fancy Blue and Magical all tied third on 80 points and it is hard to see any other horses now getting involved.
Battaash's back to back win in the Group One Nunthorpe not only strengthened his overall standings but sent him clear at the top.
Love is head of the three year old division, Ghayyaith tops the older horse standings and after her Prix Morny win, Campanelle for Wesley ward shot to the top of the two year old fillies group.
The colts group is tightly contested in the juveniles standings this term with The Lir Jet and Lucky Vega sharing top spot, with Palace Pier leading the way in the three year old colts classification.