THE current flat season is proving an entertaining one in Europe, with Golden Horn the standout performer, while others might believe Gleneagles and Solow deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as that unbeaten Derby winner.

However something pretty extraordinary is taking place at the same time across the Atlantic, where one horse is turning 2015 into an unforgettable year.

That horse is, of course, American Pharoah, winner of the US Triple Crown and now of the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. His Kentucky Derby win, in which he was drawn wide and was forced into going too fast mid-race, was hard-fought, but he has been a class apart from his rivals since.

Last Sunday’s romp identifies him as the best horse in the world now.

Timeform’s US section rated American Pharoah’s time-based performance in the Haskell at 131, which is 4 higher than Golden Horn has achieved by such a measure so far, and it came despite American Pharoah being eased for most of the home straight. He could easily have a lot more in the locker.

In form terms, American Pharoah is the most highly-rated horse in North America since Ghostzapper in 2004 and only 2lb behind the legendary 1990s horse Cigar among US horses rated by Timeform (unfortunately, the likes of Secretariat came in an era before Timeform was truly global).

Racing enthusiasts can be both partisan and parochial, but they should not allow such tendencies to spoil their appreciation of a horse who is making into one of the sport’s all-time greats.

The Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on October 31st will be the biggest stage of all, but American Pharoah is likely to run at least once again before then. Be sure not to miss it!