SINNDAR WORLD`S TOP 3-Y-O

Dual Derby winner Sinndar was today hailed as the best three-year-old in the world last year, putting fellow Irish star Giant`s Causeway and the top American horses firmly in the shade.

The Aga Khan`s colt, successful in the Epsom and Curragh Classics and retired after following up in the Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, heads the International Classifications unveiled today on a mark of 132.

That puts Irish trainer John Oxx`s star 5lb clear of Giant`s Causeway, who won five Group One events in 2000, and US pair Fusaichi Pegasus and Tiznow who were also rated 127.

But all four must bow to Dubai Millennium, a wide-margin winner of all his three races last season including the Dubai World Cup, whose rating of 134 makes him the best horse seen anywhere last year.

Godolphin`s four-year-old is officially 4lb better than the next best older horse Montjeu, rated the pick of the 1999 Classic crop last year, who took the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot in July.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Breeders` Cup Turf winner Kalanisi trails the pair on 126, with Emirates World Series winner Fantastic Light on 124.

Aidan O`Brien has Europe`s top two-year-old for the second season running, Minardi succeeding the Irish trainer`s 1999 star Fasliyev.

His Middle Park Stakes winner`s rating of 123 is the same as recent juvenile champions Mujahid (1998) and Revoque (1996), though none has had a lower mark since Grand Lodge headed the list on 120 in 1993.

French colt Okawango is next on 121, 1lb ahead of the top British pair Mick Channon-trained Dewhurst Stakes winner Tobougg and William Haggas` Prix de l`Abbaye runner-up Superstar Leo.

The last-named is the highest rated two-year-old filly since Lyric Fantasy in 1992.

The classifications were drawn up by an international panel of handicappers, whose chairman Geoffrey Gibbs hailed Giant`s Causeway`s 'relentless consistency, courage and durability', stressing 'such qualitiescannot be measured by a rating alone'.

Gibbs added: 'Sinndar showed himself to be a middle-distance thoroughbred of immense class and, though understandable, it is sad he could not be given the opportunity to reach his full maturity.

'Dubai Millennium was immensely impressive in winning the Dubai World Cup and the Prince Of Wales`s Stakes at Royal Ascot. Tragically an accident prematurely ended his racing career and we will never know how good he might have been.'

TOP TWO-YEAR-OLDS

123 Minardi - A O'Brien, Ireland.
121 Okawango - Mrs C Head, France.
120 Superstar Leo (filly) - W Haggas, Britain.
120 Tobougg - M Channon, Britain.
119 Bad As I Wanna Be - B Meehan, Britain.
119 Nayef - M Tregoning, Britain.
118 Beckett - A O'Brien, Ireland.
118 Endless Summer - J Gosden, Britain.
118 King's County - A O'Brien, Ireland.

TOP THREE-YEAR-OLDS

132 Sinndar - J Oxx, Ireland.
127 Fusaichi Pegasus - N Drysdale, USA.
127 Giant's Causeway - A O'Brien, Ireland.
127 Tiznow - J Robbins, USA.
126 Egyptband - Mrs C Head, France.
126 Observatory - J Gosden, Britain.
124 Holding Court - M Jarvis, Britain.
124 King's Best - Sir M Stoute, Britain.
124 Samum - A Schutz, Germany.

TOP OLDER HORSES

134 Dubai Millennium - S bin Suroor, Dubai.
130 Montjeu - J Hammond, France.
127 Kona Gold - B Headley, USA.
127 Namid - J Oxx, Ireland.
126 Kalanisi - Sir M Stoute, Britain.
125 Lemon Drop Kid - F Schulhofer, USA.
125 Riboletta - E Inda, USA.
124 Behrens - J Bond, USA.
124 Fantastic Light - S bin Suroor, Dubai.
124 General Challenge - B Baffert, USA.
124 Nuclear Debate - J Hammond, France.