Inglis Melbourne Premier yearling sale graduates Sacred Kingdom and Starspangledbanner have been rated the two best sprinters across the globe in the latest list of World Rankings released by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

Starspangledbanner ($120,000, 2008 Premier) has been rated 121 following his last start romp in the G1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 19.  The win brought his ranking to within one point of the Hong Kong trained Sacred Kingdom ($200,000, 2005 Premier), who has led the world turf sprint ratings for the past three seasons.

“Not only is this a rousing endorsement for the Melbourne Premier Sale but also for the Victorian breeding industry with both horses being bred and raised in the state,” said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster.

Starspangledbanner was offered for sale by Tony Santic’s Makybe breeding operation while Sacred Kingdom was bred by the Calvert family and sold under their Kornong Stud draft.

“The Melbourne Premier Sale is the most progressive yearling sale in Australasia and proving to be a reliable source for world class racehorses,” Webster added.  “Each year breeders from around Australasia continue to support the sale with better quality yearlings on the back of the growing international contingent of buyers and the strongest domestic bench which Melbourne offers.

“The support from leading Hunter Valley vendors has also been an integral part of the sale’s growth in recent years with Arrowfield Stud and Widden Stud further adding to the growth in international recognition through their graduates.”

Arrowfield sold Weekend Hussler at the 2006 Melbourne Premier Sale and he went on to be ranked top of the international mile and three-year-old sprint categories, while Widden Stud sold subsequent South African G1 Cape Guineas winner Le Drakkar.

The 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale has been set down for February 28 – March 3 during the peak of Melbourne’s Festival Of Racing.