The ever shrinking world of racing has been highlighted by Daylami, the first horse to lay claim to the title of 'world champion'.

Not that long ago the idea of horses competing all over the globe would have been deemed fantasy.

Yet now when horses from Europe regularly challenge for such races as the Melbourne Cup, Japan Cup and Breeders Turf races in California, Daylami can justifiably claim to have been tested against the best in the world.

The Godolphin-trained five-year-old raced in five different countries over three continents to claim the inaugural Emi-rates world series racing championship in 1999.

He left a lasting impression - enhanced by jockey Frankie Dettori's customary 'flying dismount' from the saddle - in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, and then followed up with repeats in the Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf.

Naturally enough Timeform, in their latest collection Racehorses of 1999, have no hesitation in naming Daylami as their horse of the year.

Montjeu, whose electrifying performances in the French Derby and Irish Derby before narrowly taking Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe honours at Longchamp, would have been an easy horse of the year winner in the absence of Daylami.

Godolphin and trainer Saeed bin Suroor again dominated the Flat racing scene last year with nine wins from the 26 Group One races, and now they plan to take on Amer-ica. It has proved an expensive exercise so far with estimates putting the outlay on horses and training facilities over there at around $10 million, with prize-money in return amounting to around $100,000!

With money generally no object to the wealthy Arabs, there is little doubt that the success seen in this country by their horses will eventually show dividends in the States. The impact of Godolphin horses in the coming months could be more diluted, though, since none of their two-year-olds - with the exception of City On A Hill - made much impact.

Top two-year-old filly in Timeform's opinion was the French-trained Morning Pride, but it was not an outstanding year. Best two-year-old colt was Dewhurst winner Distant Music, though it will take a dramatic improvement if he is to emulate Zafonic and Pennekamp as recent Dewhurst winners to go on to 2,000 Guineas honours.

As always, Halifax-based Timeform makes provocative reading, both in the essays on the top horses of last year and in their views on the radical shake-up of betting planned for this country.

Hopefully Government plans to scrap the Levy Board announced this week will be part of a better way forward as the industry tries to strengthen its base in the new millennium.

Racehorses of 1999 is published by Timeform, Portway Press Ltd, Halifax, HX1 1XE and available at £68 post free.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.