Asteverdi

The most striking number is on wet ground. When the surface is soft underfoot, Asteverdi has won 2 from 4 races — that is a 50% win rate, which is remarkable by any standard. For context, even elite horses rarely win half their races. It suggests this is a horse that genuinely transforms when conditions go its way, rather than simply preferring a particular surface by a small margin. Most of its racing has come on drier ground, which may go some way to explaining why the overall record looks relatively ordinary.

The last win came at Nottingham in October 2024, now 19 months ago, and recent form reads 7th, 3rd, 14th, 5th, 4th, 5th across the last six races — competitive enough in places, but no victory. Kieran O'Neill, who has ridden Asteverdi five times, is yet to get the horse to the front. The pair have yet to click in the winner's enclosure together. The bulk of its racing has come at Class 4 level — the middle tier of everyday racing in Britain — where it has won 2 from 10, or 1 in every 5 at that grade.

What keeps the story alive is the trainer. James Owen's Newmarket operation has sent out 204 winners this season alone, which is a yard firing on all cylinders. Horses trained by Owen clearly get their opportunities, and Asteverdi — raced just yesterday, so very much in current training — is still being aimed at races. A wet-ground opportunity at the right track could easily change the picture fast.