BloodHorse.com

I would rank Curlin #5, over SS & EG, because he is racing at the top as a 4yo.  I agree with the rest of your rankings.

curlin should be in 4th spot. he is fantastic!!!!!!!!

I like your top 4 picks but I'd rate Curlin above Sunday Silence and Easy Goer.I think Curlin's hooked tough ones and easy ones, differint surfaces at differint countrys. That alone makes him stand above those to cause they didn't have the chance to travel like Ciger and even Skip Away. Man that Skip Away was an iron horse. You can make an argument for all your top ten,but I guess that's the whole point eh Jason.

Curlin grew up to become a really good horse.  Its a shame each year the best horses are retired.  No Afleet Alex or Invasor or Hard Spun to run against Curlin.  What we end up with is boring has beens like Brass Hat or Jonesboro running against a horse like Curlin.  Look at the field he just raced against... not one of them broke a 100 Beyer Red Rock Creek hasn't  broken a 100 Beyer EVER ! Einstein has never broken 100 on dirt Sam P has never done it and Delightful Kiss broke 100 twice last year. Curlin ran against a very weak bunch and the only one that can give him a race he will never run against. Curlin lost 3 times as a 3 year old and did not win the Derby or the Belmont.  Its hard to put him very high if you don't win two out of three Triple Crown races.  Let's face it he isn't running against great older horses because they have been retired.  If they want to prove what a great horse he is let him beat the world's best 3 year old... but we all know that race will never happen....don't we.

I loved Cigar and I love Curlin, too! They are both great in their own rite. It's impossible to say which horse is better. How about a tie?

I think I'd place Curlin in the fourth slot, as well. The first three ......well, WHO could argue with those? The Bid stands alone, Cigar is another well-traveled champion who has conquered other racing venues and with a great deal of style and class. But John?? John is John....lost everything in sight as a baby, really didn't grow up until he was about 5, carried high weights, banged around on the turf and the dirt, put The Bart in his place, lost BADLY in Japan, but came back and raced on, winning more than he lost until he turned NINE, fer Pete's sake. THAT year he only won his final four starts, and six of his final seven races. He missed racing in the first Breeder's Cup by a whisker when he had to retire with an injury. Maybe HE should be Number One??

Back to Curlin, though. He really has a distance to go before he will jump to the top of this particular list, but right now he sure does look like a MONSTER! Loved his win in Dubai, but he made the Stephen Foster look like a light work..........WOW!

And, I don't know about the rest of the readers here, but I LOVE THIS! A REAL horse with some bottle, and guts and HE'S RACING!!! YAY!

Cheers to all.....

Sigh...you're missing Ghostzapper.  He'd dust numbers 2 - 10 in any race from 6f - 10f, no questions asked.  And his lack of racing seems irrelevant when you're putting Point Given and Curlin on the list - two horses who didn't exactly rack up the starts.  

Let's put a few things in context.  There are some good horses on this list with stats that need closer scrutiny.  Wins, regardless of the total or consecutive does not mean much.  I would equate this to the record of a boxer.  A boxer can pile up wins by impressive knockout many times in a row.  But we all know that doesn't mean much.  So having said that, I suggest we look at wins that actually mean something.  Yes, track records do sound good but there are other factors involved in that, like who else ran on that track and what were the conditions when they ran. Remember Curlin ran a track record at the Breeders' Cup Classic on a sloppy track in Monmouth where some great horses ran in the past.  And yes, Bid ran some world record times which is impressive.  If Curlin does win out the rest of these huge races in 2008 this would mean much more that any number of consecutive wins or other records.  The quality of competition that he will have faced in his races would be almost immeasurable.  I have not calculated this but if someone has time they should count how many Grade 1 winners each has beaten in Grade 1 races.  To conclude, if Curlin dominates the best Turf horses in the world like he did on Dirt, this would put him way up on this list, probably top 2.  Bid was a very fast horse.

i'm interested to know how you came to the conclusion that curlin is the best horse in the world...best dirt horse yes...best on turf as well...it's impossible to even have the tiniest comparison as he's never even raced on turf

Sunday Silence #4,then Curlin followed by Skip Away and Easy Goer.

He would have to win out to be in any top ten.  Curlin has finally started to win races impressively and consecutively.  If he wins his last 3, he wins 7 straight which would give him credibility and a 7th place vote from me.

does he really need to prove himself on the grass across the pond...rather see him bump heads with Big Brown...hes a damn good one thats for sure...its a tie for #1 between John Henry & Cigar...Long Live The King!!!

Curlin is the best today but still has a way to go.  I would love it if someone could figure out "money earned" by taking inflation into account.

Curlin should be #3, John Henry moved  up to #2, and Cigar to #4 spot.  Curlin carried 132 lbs in his Dubai prep and 128 lbs in Stephen Foster...reminiscent of the great handicap horses in the 1970s, 1960s and earlier in horse racing's heyday.  He is a throwback....one of the best I've seen in the last 30 years!!!

Although your ranking seems ok, I think you're underestimating the importance of a potential Arc win.  It's not just a 'Group 1 turf win'.  Its the most prestigious race in the world, and if he wins it, it would forever impact the current European view of U.S. racing as horses as 3rd rate.

You need to make room for Afleet Alex on your list.  What he did in the Preakness was remarkable and reminded me of when racehorses were tough and durable.  For a horse to almost fall, pick himself up and win is incredible.  It hows heart and a will to win.  He must be considered among the horses you have named.  He deserves it.

If Curlin were to win the Arc then he would be the best horse of the last 30yrs. He would have beaten the best dirt performers over the past 2 years. Remember the arc usually attracts the best turf horses in the world (no disrespect to the american turf races), so to beat the best european horses would be some feat. Dare I say, he would have surpassed Spectacular Bid?

I know I have missed something but what was it about Spectacular Bid that places him at the top of the list? What made him greater than the horse at the bottom, Point Given? I cannot recall.

I think your Top selection is The Best Horse to EVER Look Through a Briddle... Curlin should be above Easy Goer on your List

If Curlin manages to do well on the turf, especially winning the Arc (which I hope he does) I think he should be rated at least 4th on the list, if not higher. The fact that the horse has performed well on both surfaces makes him much more of a superhorse. To me, that versatility makes a great horse. I think we're about to see a great horse.

Who says they will retire him at four? What would that do to your ranking if they didn't? I'm not so sure that JJ will retire him after his comments this weekend. Maybe after he buy's the jailbird's interest, out he'll let him run. I am greedy enough to beg him to let him run. Curlin could be more..... a legend,even...he just needs the opportunity. He has the talent and heart. Go Curlin GO!

The Best Horse in the World?  You didn't include any horses outside the United States.  

I think your 7th place ranking is fair.

How can you not rank Ghostzapper as one of the best horses in the last 30 years!  He was a freak who won at all distances and recorded the fastest Beyer at two turns a 128 and the fastest ragozin number ever of a -3.

How can your top 10 not include Holy Bull or Ghostzapper?  If there is a minimum starts requirement then Ghostzapper may not be eligible, but The Bull was awesome in every start but one.

1.Spectacular Bid

2.Cigar

3.Holy Bull

4.John Henry

5.Skip Away

6.Curlin

7.Point Given

8.Sunday Silence

9.Easy Goer

10.Silver Charm

My list would be as follows:

1.  Cigar

2.  Alysheba

3.  Silver Charm

4.  Curlin

5.  Ghostzapper

6.  Easy Goer

7.  Point Given

8.  Tiznow

9.  Skip Away

10. Sunday Silence

You can't rate horses like Barbaro or Big Brown - because they will not have the change to prove themselves with a "real" career.  Afleet Alex was a nice horse, but he did not rank with a horse like Cigar or Skip Away.  I think Curlin winning a Gr. I (the Arc) is actually a longshot.  If he does - I consider it a great achievement.  But, there have been other horses to win big races on both surfaces.  Money earned is no biggie - in that the purses and bonuses these days are so huge.  You can't compare a horse like Curlin winning $10 million to a horse like Spectacular Bid with only a fraction of the earnings.  It is the races and the competition that matter.

The prix de l'arc and japan cup should place him 3th; if he stays around 1 more year he could easily be 1st???

Curlin #4. Skip Away should be lower and no way Silver Charm should be in the top 10. Street Sense or Smarty Jones replaces Silver Charm.

I'm not sure how any of these horses can be rated ahead of Curlin should he win the Arc. None of these horses ever ventured overseas (with the exception of Cigar going to Dubai). So if he wins the Arc that would be totally unprecedented in the history of American racing.  Easy Goer wasn't even the best horse of his generation (and was a total flop whenever it rained).  John Henry was a turf specialist (yeah I know he won the Jockey Club, barely).  I don't recall him ever dominating a race (he always was all out and won by a length or two it seemed).  Skip Away failed in both Triple Crown races he ran in, and got bombed the last time he ran in the Breeders Cup. Sunday Silence never completed his 4 year-old season (and I believe he lost to Criminal Type a couple of times that year).  Maybe you could make a case for Cigar and Spectalular Bid, though neither did what Curlin is attempting to do.  And the thing that bothers me the most is that Ghostzapper was left off the list entirely. He happened to be the fastest and most dominating horse of all these(albeit it was really just a 6-race winning streak before an injury cut his career short). But even he never ran beyond 1 1/4 miles, or tried the turf.  Curlin is clearly not getting the respect he deserves.  So much attention gets paid to Big Brown, who could possibly be the worst thing that ever happened to the sport of horse racing, and Curln repeatedly gets ignored.  So I'm not surprised by this article.  But I won't let it bother me.  I'm just going to enjoy watching the most beautiful & powerful horse I've seen since Secretariat, do something no racehorse has ever done in the history of the sport.   And maybe after all that happens, he'll get the credit he deserves.

I understand what you are saying about Curlin not running enough times to top Cigar, who ran 33 times.  However, he didn't have the oppertunity to run as a two-year old, eliminating his chance to run at least a few more times.  Also, if he wins the Arc, he would accomplish something that none of the horses on your list could.  Even Secretariat didn't.  Does that not qualify him as  one of the greatest horses ever-winning the biggest dirt race in the world, and the biggest turf race in the world?  I don't mean to question your judgement, as it's entirely opinion, but I personally believe that Curlin could be better than Cigar.

And where is the love for Invasor??  He only lost one race in his career, and he's got the 2nd fastest DWC.  He'd have trounced Curlin.  He won on 3 continents, is a triple crown winner, and the only race he lost, he lost after doing all the travelling that he did.  He had a good reason for not showing up in the UAE derby.  When he was looked in the eye, he looked back, and prevailed.  And he didn't lose to a girl.  ;-)

Where ever you rank him, you have to put Invasor ahead of him.  

1) Spectacular Bid

2) Curlin

3) Point Given

4) Personal Ensign

5) Sunday Silence

6) Easy Goer

7) Cigar

8) Skip Away

9) John Henry

10) Tiznow/A.P Indy

Thank you for this blog.  I think it's fantastic.

My only problem with your list is that I think it over emphasizes longevity a bit.  I think alot of people do that when doing rankings in most sports so perhaps I am the one who is wrong.

If Curlin wins the Arc, he will have done something that is truly, truly incredible.  I hope he does it and his ranking should reflect that.  

Other than The Bid, Point Given is the best horse I have seen since 1978.  He was dominant.

And Personal Ensign was truly something special.

Again, thanks for the great columns/blogs.

If Curlin wins, in the course of 12 months, the Breeders Cup Classic, Dubai World Cup, and the Arc, then he would have to be at least figured into the top 2.  The switch in surfaces would rate very highly in my book, I have always said that if Dubai Millenium had not been injured he would have also been an all-time great.

I would definintely put Curlin number 4 right now, not 3 wins from now. If Curlin wins out this year, especially on turf, he could be considered the best of all time. Remember, Curlin has matured late and he's getting better. Also, he is defeating horses internationally.

As for the 10th position on the list I would remove Point Given and put Snow Chief there, he was one of my favorites and also still has the track record at OP at 1 and 1/8 miles.

I'd trade places with Easy Goer and Alysheba, and keep Curlin at that number.

But as far as after the 1990s, it's Cigar, Skip Away (grudgingly), Curlin.

Well, Jason as your colleague Steve Haskin might allow, albeit it in my artful syntax, hard to compare horses from different years, much less across a generation.

That said, if Curlin does go over to Europe and wins on the turf (I suspect this was always in the back of the Jackson's mind vis-a-vis Barbaro, who has great as he was on the dirt, looked the part of a classic turfer to me with his knee action/turn of foot), then I will have to give VERY serious consideration to placing him, as you do here, at least among the top 10.

Funny a projected 15 starts would make him today a comparatively

"heavily raced" horse, seeing how even my retired guy-now eventer managed twice that number over the same time period in his career-- of course, that was the late 80's, which also serves to make Steve Haskin's point, once again, as well.

Cigar was of another time, another place-- was great to see him at the KY Horse Park. I don't think he would be particularly impressed with who you have ranked ahead of him :-) I am sure Cigar's breeder, the Ponds family over on Country Life Farm in Fallston, MD (also near Bel Air, MD and the hometown of Lincoln's nemesis, John Wilkes Booth), would agree.

Interesting side note: Cigar as I recall proved infertile in the breeding shed, and at stud Spectacular Bid was something decided less than spectacular, his stud fee annually dropping like a rock in a pond over at Claiborne. Curlin will have to be a total dud as a stud to lose that race.

Curlin should be 3rd or 4th now, and is in a great position to do things never done before. He has never been fully extended except during that Belmont "sprint" to the wire against Rags when he was a tired horse and she was fresher. He tied the time record in the Preakness after being passed in the stretch! Exceptional individual accomplishments can certainly equal a "body of work" that extended over a longer period of time if they are significant enough. Cigar could not run well on turf--what if Curlin can? What if Curlin equals or breaks more stakes/track records? If Steve continues to manage this horse as well and carefully as he has over the past year, then many wonderful racing feats may be in Curlin's future. We can all go along for the ride.

PERSONAL ENSIGN (they should make a movie about her - plus she beat Ky derby winner WINNING COLORS, who was also a filly)

ALL ALONG (another Great International mare)

RUFFIAN (equaled the track record on her maiden)

Rating horses this way is awfully tough.  Circumstances were different for each one.  Does anyone remember that Cigar didn't learn to run until he was 4 or 5?  He was a late developer.  The shame in all that is he is sterile.

Curlin is a remarkable horse and the Arc is something they are considering.  They don't know that he will like the grass.  He hasn't run on it although he is superior on the mud which could mean he would do well on grass.  There is one person on here who is so sure that Curlin's connections are afraid of Big Brown.  Not so.  His trainer mentioned it after the Foster that it shouldn't be "down the road" but sooner as you never know what will happen down the road.  I would be disappointed if Curlin didn't run the BC Classic.  He should go for it.  The Arc is in early October and he could make it.  If he can run on grass, he can run on a synthetic surface.  Has BB run on one yet?  There is one person on this board who thinks BB would beat Curlin anytime

and he's ducking him.  Well, we don't even know if BB will run again.  We'll have to see.  Maybe he's ducking Curlin.  Sure, they talk about plans but they aren't for sure.  It's just talk right now.  BB's future is really up in the air right now.  Would be great to see he and Curlin hook up.  I would love to see that!

If Curlin is able to win the Arc, anyone doubting his validity as one of the 5 or 10 best race horses of alltime wouldn't be very credible in my book.  I first heard this idea about winning a Triple Crown race Breeders Cup and Arc proposed by Micheal Matz in talking of what Barbaro might have been able to accomplish.  Any horse who can win a TC race (= stakes record) the BC Classic (track record time) The Dubai World Cup (3rd fastest ever) and The Arc in any time would be a monster. I'd be willing to bet if he pulls it off many of us will never live long enough to see it done again.

You can't compare Cigar and Curlin.  Cigar's 16 Race Streak hasn't been repeated since......I will say, yeah Curlin is the best, if he can also win 16 straight wins.

Just not apples and apples.

Although he only ran 11 times, Ghostzapper should not be left off any list of great horses of the last 30 years.  Curlin hasn't come close to his top 128 Beyer score.

So what is greatness?  Durability, earnings or speed?

Hey Draynay at least Curlin lit the board in the Derby and the Belmont.He also ran on all types of surfaces and the connections didn't use the surface as an excuse.He also seems to be able to eyeball another horse and keep on running.It doesn't seem to bother him to be in tight quarters and holy cow he's made almost 10 mill! The name of the game in horse racing is to make money and find the best spots to do it.He seems to be doing a good job of that so far.

I believe that should Curlin win out in these races that we are speculating he will run in then he definately is number one on this list. I also agree that it is hard to compare horse this way. I am shocked that Holy Bull and Ghostzapper are  left off of this list and I feel that Awesome Again doesnt get enough credit here. Where are the love for the fillies do fillies like Azeri and Serena's Song get even an honarable mention.

A "favorite" horse does not necessarily deserve to be on the list, just because he was a crowd favorite; there a few "favorite" horses with good reason to be on this particular list. The Bid, Cigar...a MOUNTAIN of a horse, but he gets no respect from Da Hoss, his neighbor at the KHP....John Henry, ABSOLUTELY .......but I really MUST take exception to Point Given....compared to Holy Bull, Ghostzapper, Invasor... Point Given is a nice horse with some talent, but on THIS list....nah.

Interesting question. However think about it. None of these horses are even in the same class with Cigar and John Henry. Although they were much earlier, consider also Kelso and Forego, who carried all kinds of weight and had about 12 races per year. The horses today are prima donnas by comparison. Speaking of Ghostzapper - give me a break. The horse runs only 4 times and then he gets horse of the year.

Back to your list, if Curlin wins all the rest as noted, maybe he is # 7, but if not he is not even in the top 10.

Off the top of my head of his last 2 races:

A "bonafide" G1 winner is a horse that has won at least two G1 races.

Stephen Foster -

Einstein

Dubai World Cup -

Vermilion

Premium Tap

Curlin hasn't even shown us how good he really is. Keep watching. He will prove that he is the best throughbred of modern times.

Watching Curlin win the Stephen Foster Handicap just continued to show how professional this horse is, he remains cool and collected while running inside, outside or up the middle, as soon as Robby gives him the signal he does what he does best...win. I didn't think that the 128lb posting would bother him as he had carried 132 lbs in Dubai while winning the Jaguar Trophy race, at this point 4th position is good but he is fast approaching the top 3 and those top 3 are very impressive but then so is Curlin. I would love to see him win the Arc but would hate to miss seeing him run in the Breeder's Cup but I understand the path that they are taking with Curlin, winning the Arc over beating Big Brown in the Breeder's Cup is more prestigious and carries more weight with that win. Good luck to the Curlin camp, they are doing this horse justice and the racing fans as well.

I agree with your top ten but I'd place Curlin above Sunday Silence and Easy Goer. Obviously he'll have to race another year to be on top above Cigar and Spectacular Bid and maybe that might happen. Maybe. I do recall reading somewhere that Smart Strikes offspring improve with age......I hope JJ keeps Curlin around another year, He's been sturdy, no injuries I think. Invasor had some foot problem when he was young and Ghostzapper hurt himself too. And Steve Asmussen has trained him beautifully this year.

Rating Horses based on Buyers speed figures is nuts! The breed has changed so much the last 15 years, allowance and claiming horses are faster changing the variable's these figs are based on. I too believe longevity is the number one factor in determining Greatness, but pure talent Ghostzapper was one bad racehorse his Classic was the most impressive race I've ever seen a horse run. If I could see one horse race Curlin from the last 15 years I'd take him more than anyone else.

Kelly E. Silver Charm #3???? wowwies, don't sign up to rank the BCS anytime soon, ok?? haha I agree with needler, no PG on this list. If Curlin wins the Arc he has to climb to #1.

Hey Bunksie1581

I've got love for the fillies! Azeri is probably my alltime Favorite.  I wish they'd kept her in the Distaff instead of the Classic, but much like Curlin's connections they were shooting for the moon. Also no one had any idea at that time what Ghostzapper really was, do people realize he beat 2 Dubai World Cup winners, (Pleasently Perfect, Roses In May) A Ky Derby Winner (FunnyCide) A BC Distaff Winner (Azeri) and A BC Classic Winner (Pleasently Perfect) also a young talented Perfect Drift ran 4th in that race. Ghostzapper was a Supreme Talent and I believe that was the best race in the last 15 years. As for Fillies man Zenyatta may be clsoer to Curlin than Big Brown is.

Just a comment about our beloved sport:  If we consider horse racing a truly International sport then we should have a Grand Slam like Golf and Tennis.

Tennis Grand Slam:

Wimbledon

US Open

Australian Open

French Open

Thoroughbred Horse Racing Grand Slam ???

Breeders' Cup

ARC

Japan Cup

Dubai World Cup

The quality of the competition should be the best in the world at a "Grand Slam".  The main problem with these races is the scheduling is very close.  But something should be coordinated internationally for prestigious races for 3yr olds and up so older horses can participate.

So after considering the above comments, if Curlin wins out in 2008, that puts him up there favorably on any list.

Also, can take for granted that Curlin did all he did last year without a 2 year old foundation and against a strong 3 year old class.  If he wins the Arc, I'd put him at least #2, maybe even #1 but it's hard to compare a legend 30 years in the making to what is so fresh in the mind.  Obviously, I favor versatility in my rankings.  (You gotta show up no matter what the track condition.)  At the very least above Sunday Silence, who is one of my personal favorites of all time.  Curlin and he at the this point essentially have the same record, albiet Silence won an additional Classic, but I think winning the Arc equals out to another classsic easily. I don't think American fans understand the importance of the Arc.  

Also, from what I've heard Curlin will have a test turf race in July, another American turf race (a more premier race), then go to France.   I would love for him to come back after the Arc and try the BC Turf, too.

From Paul Moran's article on ESPN

"Since  1962, when Carry Back, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner of the previous year, was sent to the Arc and finished 10th, no American horse of Curlin's stature has attempted this."

Helps put what Curlin is trying to do into context.  Right now he's #4-5, if he wins the Arc, #1-2.

I've seen them all run.  I agree with Spectacular Bid as #1.  Cigar was the best horse since the Bid.  But I'd have to put Curlin #2.  His time in the BC Classic and closing the last four furlings in 48 is phenomenal.  And now at 4, he is even better and winning every race in low gear, just like the bid did at 4, which was the best 4 yr. old campaign I've ever seen.  For me Curlin would have to run 1:57 for a 1 1/4 to be along side the Bid.  I'm a bigger Curlin fan, but I think if BB ran as a 4 year old he has the potential to be as good if not better than Curlin.  Go Curlin and thank you for the rare 4 year old treat.

I am a huge Sunday Silence fan, and you can't put Easy Goer ahead of him based on the Derby and Preakness.

But look at their three year old seasons....

Easy Goer:

1st in the Gotham, Swale, Travers, Belmont, JCGC, Wood and Whitney.

2nd in the Derby, Preakness and BCC

Sunday Silence:

1st in the SA Derby, San Felipe, KY Derby, Preakness, Super Derby, BCC

2nd in the Belmont.

They not only were the best three year olds that year, they also both beat older horses.

I think if Curlin wins the Arc he jumps to number 2 on the list.  That is just an unfathomable accomplishment.  If he stays unbeaten an Arc win would be his 8th straight victory on dirt and grass, and he would 15: 12-1-2.

Historically, there would be nothing to compare him to.

Also, "ART" above said Curlin didn't exactly rack up the starts, well he started 9 times as a three year old and will maybe have seven this year.  A workload Ghostzapper could never have endured.

I would put Touch Gold ahead of Point Given any day.  If he didn't go to his knees in the Preakness, he would have won two legs of a Triple Crown and the Breeders Cup Classic.

I agree with your choice only that you forgotten what Silver Charm did. He's top 5 on my list which includes the great Cigar in the 2nd spot and Skip Away on 3rd. And still, I believed that Ghostzapper is better than Curlin.

Some of the comments on this blog seem to show that many people do not really know or understand Skip Away's record of accomplishments. I have always believed that the only reason Skippy is not far and away the earnings record holder is that he did not go to Dubai. He was a "family owned horse" and the family chose to keep him in the U.S. except for a trip to Woodbine(where he won). He beat Cigar in the Jockey Club Gold Cup in 1996 at the age of three. I believe he set the current stakes record for that race in 1997. He won the Breeders' Cup Classic in 1997 while breaking that stakes record, previously set by Cigar. (Ghostzapper later broke that one.) Skippy set a NTR in the MassCap in 1998 under 130lbs. He carried at least that much weight in the Iselin as well, while winning. When he finally became HOY in 1998, it was overdue. His win in the Breeders' Cup Classic was the most visually impressive up to that time, I think. (Curlin in the slop wasn't bad, either.) I was present at Belmont in 1995 when Cigar won the Classic, but to me it was not as impressive as Skippy's in 1997. I'm sorry to rant, but Skippy had to work twice as hard to gain half the respect he deserved. Check the facts on Skippy in The Bloodhorse archives from 1996-1998. He was indeed an Iron Horse, and then some.

I agree, Ghostzapper and Invasor were great horses but dont belong on this list.

I dont see how you can rank Sunday Silence above Curlin and John Henry should be #1 followed by Cigar and Spectacular Bid.

Curlin is a special horse, as it is hard to compare to Dr. Fager to Secretariat, it is impossible to compare others. If he wins the ARC, which I mentioned on posts FAR BEFORE it was mentioned as a plan by his owners-he, would have to be put on the greats list because it has never been done before.

I might get my wish-A top US horse showing that we can go there and win-not just the other way.-Ongoing wish for years-I thought Kittens Joy could a few years back but he wasn't good on soft turf-otherwise he'd be on a top ten list as well-great on firm-one of the best.

A few omissions   to your list.

Bid would rank #1 on mine given the choices above. We have no way of telling how good Invasor was-Bernardini I would rate far before Alex Alex who was mentioned by someone (not there on the list). To a 1 1/4 Smarty Jones missing? Giant's Causeway?--Long ship-quarantine- first time dirt wasn't bad to lose a nose photo to a horse ON the list.

Candy Ride? Newbies posting probably never heard of him, SOOOO---Champion Miler in Argentina, Top Class on Dirt and Turf, Undefeated in six starts in Argentina & the United States, Won a Grade 1 race in his 2nd start, Ran a mile on turf in 1:31, Recorded the highest Beyer speed figure of 2003 (123), Set a new track record at Del Mar in the Pacific Classic (G1), with a time of 1:59 flat. Ron McAnally called him the best in the world and he ever trained, Bailey, Krone, Baffort, all said he was a freak and super special at the time-unbeatable.

Throw another in to the pot-- Makybe Diva is an Australian racehorse, and the first thoroughbred to win the prestigious Melbourne Cup three times: in 2003 and 2004, and again in 2005 when she also won the Cox Plate, Makybe Diva is the highest stakes-earner in Australasian horse-racing history, with winnings of AU$14,526,685 when she retired on 1 November 2005."The Diva" is one of only five horses to have won the Cup more than once in the 145 year history of the event. Smallish mare, but try her at 2 miles. OR doesn’t that count, because of the distance?

Very hard argument –no right answer-Dr F. was the best I ever saw in “MY OPINION” but doesn’t mean I am right no matter how hard I try to prove it-especially to Secretariat Fans (forget Damascus and Buckpasser-I would have loved to see what Bold Hour would have done to Sham and many others even on the list above-but all conjecture) Until we get time machines we will never know for sure.

Curlin IS a very good racehorse-IF and when he should win the ARC he joins my greatest list if not number 1 he still would be in rarified air.

J Miller,

Spectacular Bid:

26 races

23 wins!

Undefeated in 4 year old year

I'd have to put the Bid and John Henry as # 1 and #2; they were the last of the great weight-carriers. The younger horses would break down under the loads those two carried, which were reminescent of Kelso and Forego. I would put Cigar and his winning streak at #3; I think Curlin is on his way to earning #4, but not there yet. Maybe after the Arc de Triomphe...

I feel if Curlin runs the Arc and wins, this would rank him #1 on the list. To have won the Arc, Preakness, Breedeers Cup Classic and Dubai is one impressive resume. Not to mention, on the board finishes in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont. This would prove great versatility and durability.If Curlin would go on and win the Breeders Cup Classic for the second time, I feel he should be given consideration as the #1 of all time. If he wins the Arc,in my opinion, he will have achieved something far better than winning the triple crown. Hats off to Curlin and his handlers for giving us one of the best.

This is so interesting!  I love reading everyone's take on the ratings.  Everyone has a different idea as to who should be placed where and have even put some horses in there that weren't rated.

To think back on 30 years is very hard.  Spectacular Bid absolutely, #1.  He was incredible.  The rest is really whatever anyone thinks on their own.  All those horses mentioned were superb.  I was lucky enough to see Sunday Silence and Easy Goer race.  I can tell you it was the most exciting time for horse racing.  Those two battling it out was monumental.  I loved Sunday Silence and visited him on the backside one Saturday morning thanks to Charlie.  I love Curlin too.  I don't think we haven't seen Curlin's best yet!

think the top jockeys from the past 30 years would really differ from all of these listings. Curlin would surley be very close to the top, Tiznow, and possibly Giant's Causeway for his worldy efforts. If Curly takes the Arc he moves up.

I apologize to everyone about including Dr Fager in this list of top ten. I KNOW he came before the 30 year limit for the list, but I can't help myself.....he, Kelso, Forego and John Henry might have represented the toughest bunch of racers at any time, ever!

THAT argument, however, is for another blog. This one is about Curlin, and while he sure looks like he las the props, a win at the Arc will prove he does. Until then, we get to wander all over the place talking abut those runners that touched us.........I miss 'em, but Curlin may be able to fill the empty spot for us!

Cheers and apologies.....

I love Curlin, have since his first race.  The thing I love most about him is his guts, guts are part of what make a horse so great. Curlin has had three gut wrenching head-to-head races, against Street Sense in the Preakness, Rags to Riches and against Lawyer Ron.  He won two of them and didn't concede on the third, he still battled through the finish.  Watching those duels reminds me of Affirmed's races.  I don't know exactly where I think he ranks on this list.  Definitely in the top 5; no question.  

If his connections do retire him after this year I will be heartbroken.  He has been the most exciting horse I have seen race and gives me hope that I will see more great horses run more than 6 races in their lifetime.  They aren't even given the chance to become great.  I hope Curlin can transfer well to turf, but I would be disappointed if his last race was  on foreign soil.  

A great horse should be able to race against the best. And while some think Curlin's connections are avoiding Big Brown, Europe has some very good horses.  The maturity and experience of the horses Curlin would race against in Europe will raise his rank considerably.  I would still like to see a match up between BB and Curlin though. 

just why does everyone think big brown is a goner.. just because he

lost one race... he is still a

fantastic runner as far as i know..

and a race with curlin would be

a true test of ability for both of

them

Another thought, I think the Bid is better compared to the horses of the 70's rather than those from the 80's, 90's and this decade given the nature of his career.  He really is a horse from another era.  The others on the the list are more comparable.    

It's also hard to compare longevity with flashes of brillance.  John Henry and Cigar may not have run as long as they did if they had more "brillant" races earlier.  Yes, they had long great careers but threw in some duds that help level the playing field with the others who raced less.

If Curlin does run in the Arc and wins it, he'd have to rank right up there with Spectacular Bid for the best in the last 30 years. I remember Secretariat's connections had considered the idea of running him in the Arc at one time, but discarded it. I so hope Curlin gets the chance Big Red didn't. Top 10 lists are very subjective, but you could definitely make a case for putting Curlin fourth right now. The best horse I've seen in recent years was Invasor- what a shame he had to be retired.

i am glad curlin will skip breeders cup.i also will skip the breeders cup this year and next year.if i wager anything it will be peanuts.i dont think big brown will race in b c either.i hope all the good horses boycott this years b c.why cant they run b c at delmar,saratoga,keeneland,hialeah[i know its closed but hey its just sitting there put it to some use],alington or woodbine again.instead we get santa anita 2 years in a row.lava man should get his b c win this time.and one more thing is how could the people who vote on eclipse awards not vote barbaro three year old champion.shame on you bernardini backers.he was not undefeated on dirt and turf like barbaro.as far as this list goes every one has their favorites so there is always something to debate.

Thanks Karen in Texas, for doing my job & touting the record of my favorite grey, Skip Away.  He ran 38 times, winning 18, 16 of them graded stakes. I remember vividly his run in the TC races, his defeat of CIgar, his battles with Formal Gold & Gentleman, his weight-carrying win in the Iselin and his beautiful victory at Woodbine.  He was a running machine, and always gallant even in defeat (to Wagon Limit in the slop giving weight still hurts).  Yes, Skip Away should be in the top 5.  If Curlin wins the Arc I'll be willing to put him above Skippy.

Point Given? Why is he even on the list? He did great work as a 3 year old, but never even raced against older. To place him in the top ten with no mention of Tiznow is as miss guided as the fools who gave Point Given Tiznow's second Horse of the Year honors.

Tiznow would have beat him on the track and is beating his brains out in the breeding shed now.

Ghostzapper could have given Silver Charm 10 pds and still opened up daylight on him.

I honestly would not rank Curlin above Silver Charm or Alysheba. He's a good horse, yes, but he hasn't raced enough to be ranked above Charm or Alysheba.

You are welcome,skipaway2000! Skippy is one of the greats on any list ever. Did you see him "in person"? I saw him in 1997 during the opening weeks at Lone Star Park. The crowd was tremendous and he looked at everyone in the paddock very calmly. Even then he was what Trevor Denman later called,"a very professional racehorse."

Spectacular Bid really is unassailable as the best racehorse of the past 30 years.  He should have won the Triple Crown in 1979.  John Henry should get the second spot.

Curlin has a ways to go to reach those heights.

Actually Bid raced 30 times and won 26 of them.  He lost only once after the 1979 Belmont, the Jockey Club Gold Cup, finishing second to Affirmed.  He never lost another race.

This is my top 10.

1. Cigar

2. Sunday Silence

3. Spectacular Bid

4. John Henry

5. Barbaro

6. Alysheba

7. Smarty Jones

8. Afleet Alex

9. Curlin

10. Tiznow

Silver Charm and Point Given shouldn't Be on the list. There are other horses I can think of that are greater than Curlin. Horses Like Medaglia D'Oro, Pleasantly Perfect, Serena's Song, Ashado, and Ginger Punch. If this was a top 20. Curlin probaly be in the top 10.

I would delete a few from the list. Point Given and Alysheba were terrific horses, but you are considering the last 30 years--Seattle Slew and Affirmed need to be on the list.

So my top ten would be:

1) Seattle Slew

2) Affirmed

3) Spectacular Bid

4) John Henry

5) Cigar

6) Personal Ensign

7) Curlin

8) Easy Goer

9) Sunday Silence

10)Go For Wand

I rank Easy Goer ahead of Sunday Silence only because Easy Goer won at 1-1/2 miles, while Sunday Silence did not have that feather in his cap. Many forget just how great a horse Go For Wand was--she could sprint and win over a route. She pulled off the double of the seven furlong Test Stakes and the 1-1/4 mile Alabama, no mean feat, and then trounced her elders in the 1-1/8 mile Beldame in a clocking only a few ticks off Secretariat's world record time.

And of course, my rankings are based only if Curlin wins the Arc.

cigar was overrated he never raced against the best of his generation at three and got lucky when holy bull broke down, he would never have won 16 in a row if he had to, holy bull tiznow curlin ap indy ghostzapper candy ride, barbaro, invasor,bernardini, dubai millenium, street cry,were all better horses than cigar

Many of you are showing your age in your comments.  Curlin is without a doubt a great horse.  However, he has a ways to go to be rated ahead of Spectacular Bid, Sunday Silence, Easy Goer or Alysheba.

Your crazy to not even mention Ghostzapper who I consider one of the fastest horses of all time, there's no telling how much more he would have done had he  continued, how many of those horses beat 2 b.c. classic winners?

St.Liam, Pleasantly Perfect?

Whoa. Lets not carried away here about Curlin!  Aside from Bid, Sunday Silence and Easy Goer are clearly class of last 30 years.  First of all, if they didn't race in same year we would have 2 additional triple crown winners (Who would argue with that?).  Secondly, these two colts dominated older horses.  Furthermore, the results of the duels between these two caused the NYRA to change the dates and distances of ALL of their major races (Gotham, Wood, Woodward, Gold Cup).  I won't say Easy Goer was better than Sunday Silence (lost 3 of 4) but what other horse in the last 30 years has had as much impact on the industry as him!?!  Saying all of that, Curlin lost the Derby by 8 lenghths and he lost the Belmont to a filly in 2:27.80 (And let us not forget about the Haskell).  My top five are :

1. Bid (times do not lie!!)

2. Sunday Silence (this era's Affirmed)

3. Easy Goer (Most impressive winner of Test of Champions' this era!)

4. Cigar (respect streak but not competition)

5. John Henry (modern day Kelso, Forego)

P.S.: Ghostzapper, Candy Ride were most impressive from time standpoints but didn't race enough.  Great conversation!!

There's nothing like a "top" list to get everyone excited and disagreeing! The first glaring mistake in your list is that Tiznow is not on the list while Point Given and Silver Charm are. The only two time Breeders' Cup Classic winner who defeated the greatest Europe had to offer must be on the list.

Other than that, I'd include the following, in no particular order: Spectacular Bid, Easy Goer, Sunday Silence, Cigar, Personal Ensign, Skip Away, John Henry, Alysheba. I think longevity - racing at 3 and at 4 - is just as important. If he wins the Arc, Curlin would certainly make the list.

But John Henry and Spectacular Bid would scoff at both Curlin's number of starts and at calling 128 lbs an "anchor."

If Silver Charm and Point Given are on the list, then what about Real Quiet? He was THIS CLOSE to winning the Triple Crown. And Thunder Gulch comes to mind also. And Tiznow. But Cigar will always be my #1.

Invasor  triple crown winner in his home country, 10 wins in 11 starts beat a monster in bernardini in a great bc classic field, and dubai world cup champ, and just look a his Donn win thats all you have to watch clipped heels check to the point where he was almost stopped and still won by 4, hes in the top ten i dont care, some people forget how great he was...

I'm really not sure how to rank Curlin against some of these other horses, but I don't think in his case the fewer number of career starts matters, just as it shouldn't matter with Invasor or Ghostzapper, the two best horses I've seen thus far in my five years as a racing fan. At this point in time, I'd have to put Curlin pretty close to those two, and if he wins on the grass, he'll move up. And if he wins Europe's most prestigious race, he'll move way up.

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is as big as big gets.

gotta love those top tens as they sure bring the bloggers out of the wood work...will rate Curlin after his four year old season over as he has a bit more work to do...Long Live The King!!!

I watched Spectacular Bid beat everything in sight for 26 of 30 races with ease most of the time. 13 stakes races included, carrying as much as 130 pounds. He is in the Secretariat class, and with the exception of GhostZapper, the rest dont come close either on figures or class. Curlin is an exceptional horse, but the competition he faces does not compare, sadly this is not Curlin's fault as I believe he is a throwback to the iron horses of old (Kelso)and could show much more

You have to put both Ghostzapper and Tiznow on this list.  I think that these horses rank above Easy Goer, Point Given and Silver Charm.  Ghostzapper, Spectacular Bid and Cigar would via for the top honor.

Alysheba, should rank a hair over Curlin and Cigar, if for no other reason than his Super Derby, that was a field of real grade one race-horses.

He closed 23 on the field in the last 3/8.  

Curlin has proven he is the best in the world right now. I see a number of comments about a matchup with BB. If that is to happen then BB should go where Curlin goes to face him not the other way around. The champ has earned the right to race where ever his connections choose. If you want to be the best you have to beat the best. It's up to the challenger to seek out the champ. Anything less and he's ducking him. Me, i'd like to see it as well. Curlin is a machine. Big Brown has potential but hasn't faced much yet. Intriguing.

Just an opinion - I think if Serena's Song had been in a different trainer's hands, she might well have been considered one of the best fillies and maybe even one of the best horses of all time.  The over training and over racing Lukas subjected her to was criminal yet she stood up to it and kept on trucking.  Remember when he entered her in the Kentucky Derby as a rabbit?  What other horse (especially a filly) could have come out of that fiasco and gone on to do what she did?  

Agree wholeheartedly with Equine Paparazzi, Tiznow raced against the world's best, TWICE, and won. Point Given? Who the heck did he beat in those 4 races? Meanwhile, Tiznow keeps producing Champions, gotta love it for Tiznow!!

Sure we're showing our age!  I've been around horse racing since 1966 and even saw Johnny Longden's last ride in the San Juan Capistrano on George Royal and he won.  I remember when there was a horse race televised every saturday and CBS during the racing season.  That was before year-round racing.  Seems to me it changed around 1970 or so to go year long.  I've seen a great many horses since 1966.

As far as ranking horses from different years, that's tough. Just because one horse has faster times doesn't mean it's the better or faster horse.  Times can vary depending on the track surface that particular day and how much the jockey or horse is pushing.  Just because a horse wins doesn't mean it gave 100%.  Also, a bunch of Grade I wins may look good, but they don't always come against Grade I competition.  I'm young, though, so some of the horses mentioned, I never saw.  I was just a baby 30 years ago.  However, I do think if Curlin were to win the Arc, he deserves the #1 spot, depending on who runs in the Arc.  There are some very good European horses right now.  To be able to travel to different continents beating whatever is thrown at you ranks above everything else for me.

A few pet peeves--

Why do people keep saying Curlin got beat by a filly like it's a bad thing?  Does no one remember how talented Rags to Riches was?  Does no one recall that she had great stamina breeding?

Speaking of Rags, why do lists like this always leave off the fillies and mares?  Many people seem to have this belief that f/m can only be considered great if they beat the boys.  I've seen many years, this one included, where I've felt the best horses racing were the f/m (with the exception of Curlin.)  Case in point:  Eight Belles, who I didn't consider as the best of the 3-year-old fillies, finished 2nd in the KY Derby.  My top 2 exciting horses to watch right now--Zenyatta and Magnificience.  Disclaimer:  My opinion on f/m may be biased and somewhat based on a "girl power" kind of thinking. :)

One last thing:  Not to take away from Cigar, he was a good horse, but would you also say that Peppers Pride deserves to be on the list.  She won 16 straight races.  Cigar is a great horse, but many of those wins came against questionable competition.  Two of those wins were in allowance races.  It is still a great accomplishment, but I don't think it ranks him 2nd.

Hey Monica V talk about a small world.I'm looking at a picture of George Royal in the 1966 San Juan Capistrano right now.I met Johnny Longden many years ago when he and his second wife did a road trip to Lethbridge,Alta.He's a home boy.He grew up in the area,and because we were involved with the racing assoc there we were invited to dinner with them.He was very fraile but his mind was still pretty sharp.Boy did he tell some good storys.I have that picture signed by him and I'll treasure it always.It was kind of neat cause I rubbed a horse by George Royal and he was one of my favs at the time.

Firstly, I love the passion of horseracing and the opinions...all of them valid!  

I think it is early to put Curlin in the top 10, but he'll definitely end up there by his retirement.  As one person mentioned, Makybe Diva has a case as does Personal Ensign and possibly Azeri or Spain.  

I think one of the best guages of "awesomeness" or "greatness" in the horses are the ones that are fast over a distance or at least have tactical speed.  This is why the 'Bid belongs at the top.  Curlin has the latter.

I think an Arc placing let alone a win would be huge.  I don't think a mile and a half is a precursor.  I think Alysheba (loved him) and Point Given and Silver Charm could be taken from the list.  I was never a fan of Skip Away, but he was a flat runner.

Stats are extremely important, and levels of competition are important.  I think Curlin had tougher competition last year than this year except maybe in Dubai.  The other thing to consider is what horses do in the race.

What comes to mind is Sunday Silence and Easy Goer in the Preakness and the Breeder's Cup Classic.  I believe the two losing efforts on Easy Goer were two of Pat Day's rides ever and exceptional races.  They both put the field away.

Ghostzapper was nice and fast...not in the top 10.  Winning Colors would be higher.  

I have merely added to the argument side, but I so appreciate our fans and their zeal and intellect on the subject.

I Agree with this list. but I will rank him 5th right now... But if he dominates turf like he did on dirt, especially if he wins the Arc and the Breders Cup Turf I will rank him on 3rd or tie second with Cigar, Cigar's record will imposible to break 16 in a row, but think about this.... Breeders cup classic, Dubai World cup, The arc and the Breeders cup Turf.. that is a good as it gets, and think about that record.. a horse winning the classic and the turf in back to back years!!

Assuming Curlin wins his last three, including the Arc>>>>>>>>>>>

Curlin is a great horse, but he won't win the Arc in my opinion-it won't even be close.

Bid is easily the top choice- anybody who thinks it should be Cigar has never watched Bid destroy numerous track records at 7/8ths of a mile, 1 1/4 miles, and twice at 1 1/8 miles and set the world record running the fastest 1 1/4 miles ever run on a dirt track, 1:57 4/5- NO WAY does Cigar rate above Bid- to do so is absurd.

I would add that Tiznow makes my cut based on strength of his competition and the results! In just his 6th start- he was put into an excellent Pacific Classic field against older horses and almost won. His winning two BC Classic races stands for itself. Also, Dance Smarty is a horse missing from the list and most people say; 'Who?'.

She showed remarkable strength going short and long- on a variety of surfaces. She beat males 4 races in a row-INCLUDING  the Canadian Triple Crown-Molson Million and won on Turf and Dirt from 6f-12f in the US and Canada.

It seems you forgot to include Affirmed since he raced in '79. If we're going back thirty years My top ten in order would be:

1) Affirmed

2) Spectacular Bid

3) John Henry

4) Sunday Silence

5) Easy Goer

6) Perrault

7) Thunder Gulch

8) Personal Ensign

9) All Along

10)Cigar

I know this list may not be perfect however it represents what I think are the unique accomplishments and versatility each horse had. If you go back one more year one could argue EXCELLER was the best of the lot since he beat Affirmed AND Seattle Slew in the '78 JC Gold Cup, won on dirt, turf and carried weight and won in different countries. Obviously AFFIRMED over SPECTACULAR BID because of their head to head battle in the '79 JC Gold Cup. JOHN HENRY carried heavy weight, took on all comers, won on dirt and turf, overcame multiple trainers & jockeys and over several seasons. SUNDAY SILENCE was 4th only because of a injury shortened career which was only enhanced in his battles with EASY GOER. EASY GOER would've been the horse of the Century had he won the triple crown in '89 with the spectacular season he had. PERRAULT would've been higher on my list since he was versatile and beat JOHN HENRY, if he didn't get hurt in the Marlboro Cup. THUNDER GULCH had an outstanding season in '95 winning two thirds of the triple crown, flying back to California, copped the Swaps S., then flew back across the country to bag the Travers, what a season! Ii had to put PERSONAL ENSIGN on the list for two reasons: one she was undefeated and two, she beat a Kentucky Derby winner over a track she didn't like at the wire. ALL ALONG simply belongs due to all the major international succes she had in '83 winning in four different countries even though I didn't particularly like her as horse of the year. I included CIGAR only because of his long winning streak, I don't hold him in such high regard as a lot of other people simply because he never carried any real substantial weight for example over 130 lbs. If anything over 130 lbs. was assigned the owners would balk at running, unlike AFFIRMED who toted 132 lbs. in the '79 Hollywood Gold Cup. I don't think anyone can put Curlin's career in proper perspective until his running is over. Just because a horse runs and wins in other countries doesn't mean their beating the best their country has to offer. How does anyone know that other countries best horses might be several notches lower than what a horse here or vice versa faces. Remember they don't train with stopwatches in Europe. I don't know how you determine how a horse worked when your only observing the workouts as opposed to timing them. Their were a couple of years the Europeans didn't send their best grass horses to run in the Arlington Million for whatever reasons. Does this diminish the victor's status? I don't know.

Concerning Tiznow he should be on the top ten list but not sure why a few have been beating up on Point Given. I'm not sure if Point Given should be on the top ten but do know that he was a very impressive racehorse and I believe would have been exceptional as a 4 year old. As for the weights that Curlin has carried do not forget that in the Jaguar Trophy race in Dubai he carried top weight of 132 lbs he is getting close to the Kelso's, Forego's and Bid's for the weight carrying. Also, in the breeding shed Tiznow and Point Given are about equal though Tiznow has now sired a classic winner Point Given is siring top stakes horses himself, give the guy his due.

Julie L. I think the reason I as well as others are beating on Point Given is the fact that he didn't race at 4, didn't come in the money in the Derby, and faced mediocre in the Haskell and Travers. Meanwhile, Tiznow beat the world's best at 3 and raced at 4 and beat the world's best yet again.  As far as the breeding shed, Tiznow has a Breeders' Cup winner and a Classic winner already, PG has none yet.

1.)Spectacular Bid

2.)John Henry

3.)Curlin

4.)Personal Ensign

5.)Easy Goer

6.)Sunday Silence

7.)Go For Wand

8.)Holy Bull

9.)Cigar

10.)Genuine Risk

 If Curlin wins the Arc he definetly wins the #1 spot.  He's extremely versatile, won Horse of the Year without a two year old foundation against an awesome crop of three year olds, got the Preakness in a gut-wrenching fourth carrer start, beat older horses decisively twice as a three year old, and has come back as an undefeated international four year old who carries weight.

 The Bid keeps the #1 no doubt right now.  

 John Henry was an awesome fighter who always brought his game with him.  

 Personal Ensign did way more than Cigar in winner thirteen-in-row against tough competition in gutsy races.

 Easy Goes and Sunday Silence are so close, but I think Easy Goer gets the nod for getting the distance in the Belmont.

 Go For Wand was amazing and probably could have been in the top 5 if she had lived longer.

 Holy Bull was tough as nails, but nowhere close to Curlin and the others mentioned.  

 Cigar was and is overrated in my opinion, he won against weak competition and wasn't too versatile.

 Genuine Risk won against the best of both sexes in the toughest races, a great filly.

 Some people were mentioning that Curlin shouldn't be considered in the top ten because he's only raced 12 times, but many people have Holy Bull on their lists and he only race 16 times.  

 It's a tough call no matter how you look at it, but Curlin's doing things horses haven't done for years and years.  He's a credit to the sport, the perfect picture of good old stamina, strength, speed and courage.  Go Curlin!!  (:

Thanks Bladerunner for pointing out that Dance Smartly was one heck of a racehorse.She's related to Curlin thru his sire Smart Strike. Samson Farms raised some top notch racehorses and they were proud to be Canadian.

If you people read the blog it said the best horses since 1979. So that doesn't include Affirmed unfortunately. And like I said Silver Charm and Point Given shouldn't Be on the list. There are other horses I can think of that are greater than Curlin. Horses Like Medaglia D'Oro, Pleasantly Perfect, Serena's Song, Lady's Secret, Ashado, and Ginger Punch.

And who ever thinks Curlin is better than The Great Cigar. Should be bound and gaged!!!!  

I always find it difficult to rank horses this way, since all those listed earned their accomplishments in different ways and under different circumstances.  I have no problem with the rankings as they stand even if I might not have listed the horses in exactly the same order.

  Emphasis SHOULD be placed on longevity.  As much as I liked Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex, a true champion shows his physical strength and heart by running under all sorts of conditions and against a variety of competition.

 I am so greatful that ONE of the good three-year-olds has been allowed to go on that perhaps I am looking at him with starry eyes but if he keeps going, he will deserve to be called "great" and certainly would be at or near the top of the list. The way he has come back from Dubai already has show his mental and physical toughness.  Go Curlin!

I have never thought that much of Cigar.  He didn't run well until he was 5 and he didn't run against the likes of Sunday Silence, Easy Goes and Alysheba.  He won 16 in a row but the races were carefully picked.  No doubt he was the best horse running at the time but who else was superior while he was running?  Tiznow's 4 year old year was plagued with back problems but those were eliminated when he took his second BC classic and is the only horse who has done so, Cigar lost his second one.  It really doesn't matter because it's all a matter of opinion anyway.  All the horses mentioned are great horses.

Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex were great horses as far as I am concerned.  They were retired by the owners and breeders.  The horses could have gone on and still won.  It's really a shame.

SUNDAY SILENCE AND EASY GOER ARE 1 AND 2,JUST BY TIMES INDIVIDUALLY AND COMBINED,GHOSTZAPPER SHOULD BE 3 AND CURLIN 4,SPECTACULAR BID 5(THE COMPETITION WAS FLAW AND WEEK DESPITE HIS ONE GREAT RACE) AND CIGAR 6 BECAUSE OF COMPETITION TOO. EASY GOER AT BELMONT WAS UNBEATABLE,PROBABLY ONLY SECRETARIAT COULD BEAT HIM AND THAT WAS AND IS THE TRACK