The first National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) polls for 2025 have been released, and the results are exciting for horse racing fans. Two horses, Citizen Bull and White Abarrio, have secured the top spots in the polls, setting the stage for a thrilling year of racing. Citizen Bull has been named the top 3-year-old, while White Abarrio has earned the title of top Thoroughbred. Let’s take a closer look at these two horses and what the rankings mean for the upcoming season.
Citizen Bull Takes the Top Spot in the 3-Year-Old Poll
Citizen Bull’s Success in 2024
Citizen Bull, who was crowned the 2-year-old champion in 2024, is off to a strong start in the 2025 season. He will make his first race of the year in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Bob Baffert, this Into Mischief colt has won 3 out of 4 races, including the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes. These impressive wins helped Citizen Bull top the NTRA’s 3-year-old poll with 222 points.
Other Horses in the Top 3-Year-Old Poll
Right behind Citizen Bull is another Baffert-trained horse, Barnes. With a 2-for-2 record in 2025, including a win in the San Vicente Stakes (G2), Barnes earned 202 points. Other horses making a strong showing include East Avenue, Disco Time, and Speed King, who round out the top five. The 3-year-old poll tracks the performance of horses competing in the lead-up to the Triple Crown.
White Abarrio Tops the Thoroughbred Poll
White Abarrio’s Strong Start in 2025
In the NTRA top Thoroughbred poll, White Abarrio, trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., claimed the number one spot. The 6-year-old horse won the 2025 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), marking an excellent start to his season. White Abarrio earned 233 points for his performance, solidifying his position as the top Thoroughbred in the rankings. This victory builds on his already impressive career, and his fans are excited to see what comes next.
Key Competitors in the Thoroughbred Poll
Following White Abarrio in second place is Thorpedo Anna, the 2024 Horse of the Year, who has yet to make her 2025 debut but is expected to race in the Azeri Stakes (G2) in March. Other notable horses in the top Thoroughbred poll include Sierra Leone, Locked, and Fierceness. Skippylongstocking, who finished third in the Pegasus, and Be Your Best, winner of the Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G2), also made the top ten.
What the Polls Mean for 2025
The NTRA polls are voted on by national media and help track the most talented horses throughout the year. The 3-year-old poll is especially important as it follows horses on their path to the Triple Crown, including the Kentucky Derby. The top Thoroughbred poll tracks the horses competing for the title of Horse of the Year, with the season concluding at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in November.
The 2025 season is already shaping up to be an exciting one, with Citizen Bull and White Abarrio leading the charge in the early NTRA polls. These two horses, along with others in the top rankings, promise a thrilling year of racing, with many eyes on the upcoming Triple Crown races and other major events. Fans can look forward to watching these top horses battle it out for top honors in the world of Thoroughbred racing.
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