Thoroughbred Championship Rankings

The Concept
The attempt is to create something that would accurately assess the accomplishments of horses and assemble them into rankings that could be used as a sort of pro-tem standings that fans could easily follow during the year. They could also be used to determine the finalists in each division to be voted on for the year end awards. In order to make the TCR a viable and excepted concept a voting component has to be added to the overall championship consideration. Fan voting is preferred to the media voting that the Eclipse awards feature. The professionals and experts already have a significant voice and it is because of their inconsistent and puzzling system that the need for this reform is deemed necessary.

Point Scale
The Thoroughbred Championship Rankings System assigns a point total for every grade of race from the Breeders Cup to a maiden claimer. Each step down in class results in the point total being reduced by roughly 40%. The total points for each race are distributed to the top 3 finishers as follows. 60% to the winner, 25% to second and 15% for third. Foreign races are also eligible for inclusion and are rated according to the graded stakes committee of that nation.

Reductions
There is a reduction applied to the points earned for every race restriction whether it be age or gender. If there are multiple restrictions then the reductions compound. For example if the race is a route for 2yo filly the 30% 2yo reduction is added to the 20% filly reduction for a 50% overall reduction in total points earned.

Earnings Bonus
Every horse will receive 2.5 points for every $100k (USD) dollars won.

Handicap Bonus
A horse is awarded 0.1 points for every 0.10lbs carried that exceeds the fields average. So if the field average is 112.7lbs and the horse carried 116lbs, a 3.3 point bonus is given. The handicap bonus is awarded regardless of finishing position.

Triple Crown Bonus
A horse will be awarded 150 points for sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. These points are awarded in addition to the points earned through victory.

Other Series Bonus
A horse will be awarded 60 points for sweeping any other established race series aside from the American Triple Crown. (ex….Canadian Triple Crown, Turf Grand Slam) These points are awarded in addition to the points earned through victory.

Undefeated Bonus
A horse will be awarded 5 points for every start in an undefeated campaign. The horse must make a minimum of 3 starts to be eligible for the bonus.

Voting System
The Thoroughbred Championship Point System as of the close of racing on December 31st of the given year will be used to define the top 5 horses in every division. To be eligible for inclusion on the nominations list a horse must have won a G-1 and they must make a minimum of 3 starts in the United States.

Year End Awards
Year end divisional championship awards will be determined based on a combination of the TCR points total and the voting results. Each component will make up 50% of the grand total.