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They have all thrilled crowds around the globe with their speed and athleticism, but there can only be one winner. The results are in for the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.britishhorseracing.com%2Fpress_releases%2Fjapanese-horses-rise-top-world%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Longines World's Best Racehorse</a>, the annual ranking of the world's top thoroughbreds. Australia's Black Caviar has taken top spot for the past four seasons, but there was a new name at the top in 2014.

They have all thrilled crowds around the globe with their speed and athleticism, but there can only be one winner. The results are in for the Longines World's Best Racehorse, the annual ranking of the world's top thoroughbreds. Australia's Black Caviar has taken top spot for the past four seasons, but there was a new name at the top in 2014.

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Just A Way —

Japanese-bred Just A Way was ranked the No. 1 horse in 2014. Here he is storming to victory at the Dubai Duty Free at the Meydan Racecourse last March.

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Epiphaneia —

In at No. 2 is another Japanese thoroughbred. Four-year-old colt Epiphaneia and rider Christophe Soumillon flew to victory at the Japan Cup in November, finishing four lengths ahead of Just A Way. Their winning time for the 2400m race was two minutes and 23.1 seconds.

Japan Racing Association

Able Friend —

There are six horses in joint 3rd place -- pictured is Joao Moreira riding Able Friend, who won the Longines Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin racecourse in December. After sitting at the rear, the five-year-old burst clear in the final stages of the race to win by four-and-a-quarter lengths.

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Australia —

Also 3rd in the rankings, Joseph O'Brien rode Australia to win The Juddmonte International Stakes at the UK's York racecourse in August. The race signaled a hat-trick for the horse and jockey, storming to three Group One wins in as many races.

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Kingman —

Similarly ranked third, the John Gosden-trained colt and his rider James Doyle broke away to win the St James's Palace Stakes on day one of Royal Ascot in June. In the same season Kingman triumphed at the Irish 2,000 Guineas, The Curragh, Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and the Jacques Le Marois at Deauville before retiring.

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The Grey Gatsby —

Another horse in at No. 3 is The Grey Gatsby (far left). Ryan Moore rode him to victory at the Irish QIPCO Champion Stakes in September, muscling out favorite Australia on the final straight.

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Variety Club —

This horse also comes in at 3rd place -- winner of the Champions Mile in Hong Kong by four lengths, Variety Club is South Africa's two-time Horse of the Year. Ridden by Anton Marcus, the horse became the first visitor to win the Champions Mile notching up their 17th win in 23 starts.

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Treve —

Ranked No. 8, Thierry Jarnet sheds a tear after riding Treve to win The Prix de I'Arc de Triomphe at the Longchamp racecourse in October. The 47-year-old jockey helped Treve to a historic win, becoming only the sixth thoroughbred to defend its crown.

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Bayern —

And in ninth place goes to Bayern. Jockey Martin Garcia is pictured atop Bayern as he celebrates winning November's Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park, California. Bayern fended off their main competition, Toast Of New York, winning by a nose in front of a 61,000 strong audience. German-bred Sea the Moon was also ranked joint ninth in the list.

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