With the flat season now underway, I’ve put together a list of horses to follow in the months ahead—combining established performers with some lesser-known names who look capable of winning races during their respective campaigns. Our jumps horses to follow proved largely successful, with Ammes winning races en route to a run in the Fred Winter, Mydaddypaddy finishing a close third in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, and Meetmebythesea landing the Grade 2 Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase at the same meeting.
Here at Racing Club, we have a strong team for the season ahead, featuring some exciting two-year-olds set to debut alongside more experienced horses who should be competitive throughout. To explore the team, learn more, and buy a share, click the button below.
Abbey Actress – Johnny Murtagh
A dual winner who has moved to Johnny Murtagh’s yard in Kildare, she made a pleasing stable debut at the Curragh after an 11-month absence, finishing third and pulling well clear of the rest. A real eye-catcher, she travelled strongly into the straight and made good headway before meeting trouble at a crucial stage. Once in the clear, she finished powerfully and looks capable of winning her share of races this season. She handles ease in the ground and is effective from a mile up to a mile and three furlongs.
Applesandpears – Ed Bethell
Made an eye-catching debut at Leicester, slowly away and held up for much of the six-furlong contest before finishing strongly to be beaten just over a length by a rival who has since placed in Listed company. This daughter of Havana Gold has since won two fillies’ novices with ease, and shapes as an interesting contender for good handicaps.
Benvenuto Cellini – Aidan O’Brien
A striking chestnut by Frankel, he looked hugely impressive when landing a Group 2 over a mile at Leopardstown by five lengths in September. The runner-up, Hardy Warrior, subsequently finished a close fourth in a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud. He didn’t enjoy the heavy ground when third behind stablemate Hawk Mountain in the Futurity Stakes at Doncaster. He’s expected to progress further as a three-year-old, particularly over longer distances. He holds entries in both the English and Irish Derby and looks a colt of considerable class.
Felicitas – Ed Walker
Springing a surprise on debut at Lingfield before Christmas, she ran out a cosy two-and-a-half-length winner at 18/1. The form has worked out well, with the third winning since, the runner-up a well-bred filly from a leading yard, and the fourth the well-fancied 5/6 favourite by Dubawi.
Ed Walker’s chestnut showed a smart turn of foot and she is clearly well regarded—highlighted by her entry in the 1000 Guineas.
Harvey – Ian Williams
After a solid third at Kempton in early March, he was expected to improve for the step up to a mile and a quarter—and did just that at Doncaster later in the month. Held up towards the rear, he made good headway and showed a likeable attitude to see out the trip strongly and fend off two useful rivals. Atherstone Warrior has form at a higher level, while Say What You See had won a competitive Southwell race prior to a Doncaster win (later disqualified). This looks solid form, and Harvey should have a good season, proving competitive in mile-and-a-quarter handicaps.
Morrophore – John & Thady Gosden
This Wolverhampton novice winner has progressed well through the ranks, winning comfortably in Class 4 company at Ascot before taking the Class 2 Winter Oaks Trial at Lingfield. She stepped forward again to land the Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap at the same track, beating Sky Safari, who went on to win a strong renewal of the Group 3 Winter Derby. The Gosdens’ filly is clearly on an upward curve, possesses a likeable attitude, and looks capable of holding her own in Listed and Group 3 company.
Precise – Aidan O’Brien
The leading Ballydoyle contender for both the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks, she enjoyed a superb two-year-old campaign, winning a Group 3 followed by two Group 1s. Her final success came over a mile in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket, where she travelled powerfully, was last off the bridle, and quickened clear with ease to score comfortably. Her trainer could hardly have been more positive about her in a recent stable tour, and she looks set to be one of the stars of the season.
Saber Strike – William Haggas
Redcar in November is not typically where William Haggas unveils his leading prospects, but this Night Of Thunder colt was hard not to like. A 230,000gns yearling, he showed plenty on his sole start, quickening clear in impressive fashion when asked by Rossa Ryan. A striking, athletic colt with a big white blaze, he’s one to look forward to this season. He debuted over six furlongs but holds a 2000 Guineas entry, and his size and stride suggest a mile can suit.
Tribal Chief – David Menuisier
The five-year-old has run well in several competitive handicaps and made an excellent return with an eye-catching third in the Lincoln. Held up towards the rear in a 21-runner field, he made strong late headway despite meeting trouble, beaten just a length and a half. Not the most consistent, but he has big performances in him in high-quality mile handicaps and looks capable of landing a valuable race this season off a mark around 93.
Zeus Olympios – Karl Burke
This striking son of Night Of Thunder is unbeaten in four starts and looks a hugely exciting prospect for the season ahead. He progressed markedly last year, culminating in an impressive Group 2 Joel Stakes success at Newmarket, where he quickened clear in style to beat the well-backed Opera Ballo.That rival has since gone on to win at both Group 2 and Group 1 level in Meydan, giving the form a particularly strong look. He is expected to develop into a top-class performer, with targets likely to include the Lockinge at Newbury and the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.
