You can’t beat a championship feeling when you want to zone into your sport and get completely absorbed by top level action for a weekend. The World Cup Finals present that opportunity and, if like past me, you love and admire the game, but you constantly find yourself a step behind the current horses in the sport, then here’s your one-stop round-up of who the greats are right now and who is likely to become the next World Cup champ.

The Finals Trend

Stats and trends can be indicators, but they can also mislead. When it comes to the last six World Cup champions, they ALL won the opening class of the finals. 

When six consecutive winners all have something in common, it creates a hugely misleading feeling of certainty. Yes, the first day really matters. You will hear ‘there’s still a long way to go’, but it’s a huge advantage to be leading after day one.

But here’s the difference with EquiRatings. We hear phrases like ‘could win’, ‘huge chance’ and ‘big advantage’ all the time. But can we actually quantify these phrases? If we don’t, then we fall into the trap of either over-emphasising or under-valuing. 

So before and after each day of the World Cup Finals this year, check out the EquiRatings Prediction Centre for quantified win and podium chances. I suspect the day one leader will still be more likely to lose than win the overall final (less than 50% win chance).

The Main Contenders

Beauville Z: The Bronze Legend Ready for Gold

With the reigning back-to-back winning horse, King Edward, on duty stateside for the World Number One, the favourite is going to be the second highest rated horse in the world - Beauville Z. This Dutch legend is a history maker, with three individual medals at Tokyo, Herning and Paris Olympic and World Championships. His three bronze medals show his quality and consistency, but this is an opportunity to take a major title. 

Point Break: The Sport's Next Superstar?

The horse producing sensational form over the past six months is Ben Maher’s Point Break. His 12 clears from 14 rounds in the last 6 months is what history tells us is an unsustainable clear rate of 86%. His career clear rate at 5* 160 is 63% - 5% higher than Beauville’s (58%) - which is a jaw dropping number in this game. This horse is making a bid to become the number one horse in the sport over the coming seasons, and a win here would boost that effort significantly.  

United Touch S: Unbeaten against the Clock

United Touch S has a career clear rate of 45%, but his form (55%) and expected clear rate (52%) suggest he is a better horse now than he was earlier in his career at this level. His super power is speed in jump-offs - whenever he has jumped clear against the clock he has never been beaten. 11 jump-offs at the highest level, 6 clears and 6 wins. Outrageous. He’s a great contender to lead on day one, but he is slightly more vulnerable to a rail than his leading rivals.

Leone Jei vs. Elektric Blue Ps: The Rivalry We Need

There is very little between Leone Jei (Martin Fuchs) and Elektric Blue P (Max Kuhner). The latter has jumped 105 rounds at 5* 160 level (insane!) with 57 clears - a rate of 54%. The same career clear rate for Leone is 53%. There is almost nothing between them on ratings and when you look at their top level head-to-head history, the pair have clashed 29 times at the highest level. Leone has come out on top 15 times, 13 for Elektric Blue P and there is one draw (a nations cup where they both jumped double clear). Sport needs rivalries - this one has depth and it’s a close call.

Iliana: Defending the Title, but a Big Ask Ahead

On ratings, the reigning champion is up against it with Iliana - but they won their home Grand Prix in Gothenburg in February and they have big performances in the locker. Consistency over the three days will be their challenge. 

Donatello d'Auge: Fast, Fearless & Dangerous on Day One

Another key contender for a day one victory is the speedster Donatello D’Auge for Julien Epaillard. His form and career clear rate at the top level both come in at 45% - to win this they probably need a minimum of 4 clears from 5 rounds (80%).

Bond Jamesbond de Hay: Quietly Building a Serious Case

Gregory Wathelet’s Bond Jamesbond De Hay boasts impressive form (86%) and an impressive career rate at 57% - 25 clears from 47 rounds. 

Iron Dames My Prins: The Underdog to Watch

Sophie Hinners is a name that everyone should know by now, but she’s arguably the underdog of these top riders in terms of history and reputation. The stats and ratings for Iron Dames My Prins give robust evidence to her being a genuine contender here. 

The World Cup Finals never fail to deliver drama, brilliance, and a touch of unpredictability—and this year’s line-up is stacked with storylines. From legendary medal-winners to rising stars, tactical competitors to underdog contenders, the stage is set for a spectacle of the sport’s elite.

If you want to stay one step ahead throughout the competition, make sure you’re following the data. The EquiRatings Prediction Centre will update the win and podium chances each day—quantifying the hype, the form, and the shifting odds of becoming the next World Cup champion.