Courtesy The West Australian website:

WA racing idol Northerly is Australasia's highest rated horse for 2002.

Northerly finished as one of the world's highest ranked horses with an international classification rating of 124 - up from the 122 he scored the previous year.

Irish champion three-year-old Rock Of Gibraltar was the world's No. 1 on 128, ahead the Godolphin-owned Marienbard (127), who won at Group 1 level in Germany before his success in the Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Rock Of Gibraltar received his rating for breaking the long-standing record of Mill Reef by winning seven straight Group 1 events.

Godolphin's Grandera, who finished third to Northerly in the Cox Plate, received 126 rating for his five-length win over Indian Creek in the Group 1 Prince Of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Northerly won three times at Group 1 level last year - in the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Underwood Stakes.

The Serheed gelding's rating of 124 matched that of Might And Power, who held the previous record high in 1998 - which was the first time the system was applied to Australian and New Zealand horses.

Trainer Fred Kersley was humble yesterday when told of Northerly's great achievement.

"I am flattered for the horse," he said.

Defier, runner-up in the Cox Plate, was Australasia's second-highest rated horse on 120, just shading Sunline, who finished her last year on the track with 119.

Australian Cup champion Old Comrade was rated on 114 to finish equal seventh, with Universal Prince and Show A Heart.

A total of 28 Australian and NZ horses made the international listing.

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