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Zubaru
9th May 2026
Zubaru followed up his Doncaster victory with another impressive performance at Leicester on Saturday evening under Darragh Keenan.
Given a clever ride from a difficult draw, he travelled strongly throughout and never really looked like getting beaten. He is a horse who has benefitted enormously from a break and some time back with his owners at Colbert Stud.
He had shown plenty of promise earlier in his career, and I’m confident he is now finding his way back to that level of form. Naturally, the handicapper will have his say, but I still believe there is more to come from him, particularly back on a flat track.
Many congratulations to his owners, Emma and Olly Colbert.
Zubaru
2nd May 2026
Zubaru provided a hugely satisfying result, giving Emma and Oli Colbert their first winner as owners.
He travelled comfortably throughout, looking every bit a well-handicapped horse, and always gave the impression he had more in hand. There’s every chance he could follow up under a penalty.
He had been particularly well prepared over the winter, and it was great to see the Colberts reap the rewards with this success at Doncaster.
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Reliable Ricki
2nd May 2026
Reliable Ricki made a winning seasonal reappearance under Callum Rodriguez, having been training particularly well at home. Dropped in early, and was put slightly under pressure due to a slow pace but showed plenty of quality and aptitude to stamp himself as a progressive young horse.
He looks versatile with regards to ground conditions, handling both cut and faster ground. Many congratulations to his owner, Gary White, who enjoyed a particularly good result with both the first and third in the race.
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O'Gorman
30th April 2026
O’Gorman took a pleasing step forward from his debut, winning in the style of a strong two-year-old at Kempton.
The conditions were testing, but he was well positioned throughout under Darragh Keenan, travelling smoothly and showing a professional attitude to get the job done.
He is a horse we have always held in high regard, and I would expect him to be kept busy as the season progresses.
It was particularly rewarding to saddle a winner for such a fun group of owners, many of whom have had horses with us for years.
Alvin
27th April 2026
Alvin put in a dominant performance at Bath under Darragh Keenan, breaking sharply from the gates and quickly taking control. He had the race effectively won within the first couple of furlongs.
He has always looked a very talented horse, and it’s particularly pleasing to see him now putting everything together on the track.
We will aim him at The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes Handicap at Royal Ascot. However, he will need to run again beforehand to pick up a few more pounds in the ratings to ensure qualification.
Congratulations to Anthony Ramsden and Michael Blencowe
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Prydwen
25th April 2026
It was very special to see our old friend Prydwen back in the winner’s enclosure at Ripon under Darragh Keenan. Dropping back to a mile and a half seemed to suit him well, and he showed a real zest for the game to win with something in hand. This was his 11th career victory, and he continues to be a tremendous servant to the yard. Credit goes to everyone involved with him, particularly Kathleen, and of course his owners Keith Breen and Blue Star Racing.
Behike
20th April 2026
Behike took a big step forward from his debut last summer, scoring in the manner of a highly exciting prospect for Amo Racing and Al Shaqab. He broke sharply from the stalls, travelled smoothly throughout under David Egan, and always looked in control. Once asked, he quickened well and powered through the line.
A horse with plenty of natural ability, he’s one to handle with patience, but looks capable of developing into a smart three-year-old as the season unfolds.
Phantom Flight
3rd April 2026
Phantom Flight delivered a superb performance to secure our second King’s Cup victory in three years, winning in spectacular fashion under Benoit De La Sayette.
A mile and a half had posed a slight question beforehand, but he seemed to relish it as he travelled smoothly throughout the race, and never looking in danger of defeat. It was particularly special as we had to wait a few weeks. All credit must go to the team in Bahrain, who have done an outstanding job with him over the winter.
Phantom seems to be thriving and will likely head to the Chester May meeting where I'm keen to step him up in trip again. He will then end up back at Royal Ascot before having a nice break in preparation for the Middle East next year.
Congratulations to Victorious Forever.
Pixie Diva
27th March 2026
Pixy Diva delivered a powerful performance to land a reasonably valuable handicap at Newcastle under PJ McDonald.
Dropped back to five furlongs, she travelled smoothly throughout and was strong on the line.
A filly with plenty of raw ability, she looks capable more for Clive and Laura Washbourn.
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Southern Warrior
21st March 2026
Shortly after, Southern Warrior made it a double on the day, grinding out his first victory. He’s a very tough, honest little horse who should be consistent at this level. Many congratulations to his owner, Hasan Aljmi.
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Alther Walden
21st March 2026
Alther Walden was the first leg of a double for the team at Newcastle. He’s a horse that’s caught my eye throughout the winter, so it was no surprise to see him win in that style.
For a young horse, he looks a lovely star in the making. He jumped well, travelled smoothly, bagging the stand side rail under Callum Shepherd, and always looked in total control of the race.
He’s a tall, angular horse who was well found by Billy Jackson-Stops in Baden-Baden, and could well be another exciting young star for Blue Starr Racing, to go along with Prydwen and Cabello.
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Crimson Rambler
4th March 2026
Crimson Rambler gained a much-deserved win after finishing second on his previous three starts. Drawn well at Southwell, he made full use of the stands-side rail to get his head in front.
Ridden by Darragh Keenan, he was a comfortable winner on the line. He runs again tonight in the same grade.
Congratulations and good luck to his owner-breeders Chris Wright, Emily Asprey and Willie Carson.
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Alvin
9th February 2026
Alvin really got his act together under Callum Shepherd at Wolverhampton, winning very much like a fast, progressive young horse. He made full use of the inside stall and travelled smoothly throughout, always looking in complete control.
Turning in, it felt more a case of when he would put the race to bed rather than if, and he duly quickened clear in the manner of a horse with plenty more to offer. Particularly pleasing was the way he galloped out strongly after the line, suggesting there is still more to come.
While it may not have been the strongest race on paper, his time was good and stacked up favourably against the rest of the card. He’s always shown a huge amount at home, so it’s very satisfying to see him translate that ability onto the racetrack.
A special thanks to his owners, Anthony Ramsden and Michael Blencowe, for their patience with him.
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No Retreat
29th January 2026
No Retreat made it back-to-back wins in Bahrain under Callum Shepherd, this represented a significant step forward on what we’d previously seen from him. He travelled beautifully throughout, moving smoothly before picking up in the manner of a very exciting horse to win going away from Byline, reversing the form.
This performance sets him up nicely for the $500,000 ITM Cup in Qatar on the 14th of February. I’m confident now that he’s ready to step up in grade. The tight track and fast ground in Qatar should really play to his strengths.
He’s a horse we’ve always loved and one who has plenty of scope. At times he’s just lacked a little consistency, but I’m very much hoping he can develop into another top performer for Victorious Forever.
Nepal
29th January 2026
Nepal put two frustrating efforts behind him in the Gulf to register his first win of the winter season. He was ridden very enterprisingly by Rosie Jessop, who slipped the field early, and he never really looked like getting caught thereafter.
I’m sure the change of tactics helped him grow in confidence, and he looked much more like his old self. He’s always been a horse with plenty of ability, it’s simply a case of playing to his tune.
Many congratulations to Gary White and Billy and Sarah Lamb, who have been incredibly patient with him over the last few weeks.
Objector
23rd January 2026
Objector made it two wins from two starts under Dara Keenan after absolutely bolting up at Wolverhampton last week. Although he still showed signs of greenness, he’s clearly a horse with plenty of ability, and he also has a wonderful temperament to go with it.
Drawn wide, he broke well and tracked the leader throughout, always travelling strongly and never looking like getting beaten, before powering clear to win by 11 lengths. He’s a horse who still has some physical maturing to do, and I mentioned in my post-race comments that he could certainly be for a handicap at Royal Ascot.
Congratulations to his owner Kevin Cook, who looks to have a smart horse on his hands.
Phantom Flight
16th January 2026
Phantom Flight completed back-to-back Al Adyiat Cup victories in Bahrain last week, delivering what was arguably his most impressive performance to date in the Kingdom. Ridden confidently by Callum Shepherd, he was positioned more prominently than usual from the outset, jumping cleanly and settling well off an even tempo.
Travelling strongly throughout, Phantom Flight always looked in control and, when asked, quickened away decisively from the field, finishing the race like a horse at the very top of his game. It was a dominant and authoritative display that underlined both his class and his current wellbeing.
The performance has been duly recognised by the handicapper, with Phil Smith returning him to a career-high rating of 113. On the back of this run, Phantom Flight has also potentially booked himself a place in next month’s $3 million Neom Turf in Saudi Arabia.
He has undoubtedly earned the right to take his chance at this level, particularly in a Group 1 contest in the Middle East, where his effectiveness on a slick, fast surface is well established. He goes particularly well fresh, is in an excellent headspace, and continues to be a wonderful servant to the yard.
A firm favourite of the team, Phantom Flight is clearly held in equally high regard by Sheikh Nasser and everyone at Victorious Forever, who have enjoyed a tremendous journey with him to date.
Blue Day
9th January 2026
Blue Day took a step forward from his debut in Bahrain, winning under Rosie Jessop. With a perfectly timed ride and strong track position, he capitalized on the conditions and showed he's a progressive horse.
Though he's relatively new to the team, Blue Day has settled in quickly and looks like the kind of horse who will continue to progress in Bahrain. He'll now step up in grade as he enters the turf series. Notably, he was the second leg of the Gulf double, something we've always aimed to achieve.
Force and Valour
9th January 2026
Force and Valour demonstrated his clear affinity for the dirt with an impressive run from last to first, ridden by Billy Loughnane. He managed to surpass his performance from the previous week, showing he's really thriving under these conditions.
Force and Valour is by Mehmas and has mostly raced on grass. However, he has the attributes for dirt racing as well. We plan to run him in another handicap before deciding on future steps. He was the first leg of a Gulf double for Victorious Racing.
No Retreat
2nd January 2026
No Retreat showed the benefit of his recent run as he returned to winning ways in Bahrain with a powerful performance in the local Group 2. Ridden by Callum Shepherd, he roared back to his best, delivering a display that underlined the considerable ability he has always shown. He’s a horse we’ve long held in high regard, and it was pleasing to see him finally put everything together on the track.
That performance looks an ideal springboard for the remainder of his campaign in the Middle East, and we’re hopeful it marks the start of a strong run through the season. He’s a versatile horse in terms of trip, equally effective over seven furlongs or a mile, which gives us plenty of options going forward. Looking further ahead, he’s also a horse we could see being a real force back in the UK. Lightly raced and still a little immature mentally, there’s plenty more to come from him. Congratulations to his owners, Victorious Forever, who have been very patient with him.
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