Hi sanity slipping,
Regarding searching in the Mail app on macOS Ventura there isn't a way to disable the 'Top Hits' option.
However, if you're having an issue with locating a specific message test the steps below found in the guide here: Search for emails in Mail on Mac - Apple Support
"Search for emails using Mail suggestions and search filters
- In the Mail app
on your Mac, in the toolbar, start typing a phrase in the search field (if it’s not shown, click the Search button
in the toolbar), then choose a Mail suggestion. - Mail creates a search filter in the search field and lists the matching messages it found.
- If there are no results in the current mailbox, click “Search all mailboxes” below the search field.
- Refine the results in any of these ways:
- Change search filters: If a search filter contains a down arrow, you can click it to change the filter. For example, you can change a search filter to search for messages to or from a certain person, or search subject lines or entire messages.
- Use multiple search filters: Place the pointer after the first search filter, start typing search text, then choose a suggestion. Repeat as needed; the search field scrolls as you add more search filters.
- Mail looks for messages that match all of the search filters; the more you use, the more focused the search. If you don’t get expected results, remove some of the search filters.
- Search message headers: Type the name of a message header field, followed by a colon and the value you’re searching for—for example, “from: julie talma” or “priority: high”—then choose a suggestion.
- Search a timeframe or range of dates: Type “date” followed by a colon and a date range, such as “date: 9/05/21-10/05/21.”
- Search by email attributes: Type “flag” to find all flagged emails, “unread” to find all unread emails, or “attachment” to find all emails with attachments.
- Search using AND, OR, NOT (Boolean operators): Type your search text using the operators (in uppercase).
- For example, to search for messages that contain “yellowstone” and “cascades” but not “teton,” type “yellowstone AND cascades NOT teton” or “cascade AND yellowstone -teton.”
- Search different mailboxes: Select one or more mailboxes in the Mail sidebar or the Favorites bar.
3.When you’re done, click the Clear button in the search field."
You can also find helpful information here: If searching doesn’t find the right emails in Mail on Mac
View what settings can be changed in this guide: Change General settings in Mail on Mac - Apple Support
Feel free to leave feature feedback for Apple here: Product Feedback - Apple
Cheers.