The three owners who made most progress in the world rankings in 2016

Three of the best turf runners in the world played a major role in the spectacular rise of the three owners who made the most progress in the world rankings during 2016.

That includes the best horse in the Southern Hemisphere (Winx), the best in Europe (Almanzor) and arguably the best in the Far East (Satono Diamond).

Their owners made the biggest points gains over the 12 months of any in the world in the TRC Global Rankings.

The TRC rankings algorithm has produced an ordered list of individuals in each of the four categories of Jockeys, Owners, Trainers and Sires who made the biggest gains in their total number of rankings points over 2016. We have already featured the top three jockeys, the top three sires and the top three trainers. Today it is the turn of the owners.

This is the least notable category because, outside of 15 to 20 powerhouse connections, owners around the world are heavily dependent on the exploits of a small number of horses, and hence there is more volatility evident.

These are the three owners who gained the most points last year:

The Japanese tech magnate Hajime Satomi is deriving the rewards his significant spending merits. His horses – with the familiar first name ‘Satono’ – won 11 Graded races in 2016, including four at the top level.

Satono Diamond is his best horse. Already winner of the Japanese St. Leger and a narrow runner-up in the Japanese Derby, he beat the top older horses in last week’s Arima Kinen and could be aimed at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October, when he could be a significant force.

Satomi, 74, is now the eighth-highest ranked owner in the world, and second in Japan.

The rise of Magic Bloodstock Et Al to #12 in the TRC Global Rankings (and #3 among owners with Australia as their modal country - the country where they have the most runners) is more or less entirely down to the unstoppable wondermare Winx.

Check out this graph of Magic’s trajectory in the owners’ standings during 2016, when Winx won six G1s and two G2s.

Antonio Caro Et Al race Almanzor, whose three 2016 G1s included the Prix du Jockey Club, the Irish Champion and the British Champion Stakes.

As can be seen from the graph, their improvement in the rankings really began after Almanzor’s seasonal debut in April, when he won a G3 at Chantilly. They also benefitted greatly from their other star, the filly La Cressonniere, winner of both the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane in 2016.

Both Almanzor and La Cressonniere are set for 2017 campaigns - so expect further progress in the rankings from their owners, who are currently sixth in the French owner’s standings.

Honourable mentions

Juan Antonio (Argentina), China Horse Club Et Al (Australia), Stall Ullman (Germany).