Betty Clover

Before that York result, Betty Clover had broken her duck at Bath in April 2024, so both of her career wins came within about a month of each other. Since then, across 6 races, she hasn't won again — and it has now been 25 months since that York high point. The overall record reads 2 wins and 5 places from 17 races, which works out to roughly 1 win in every 8 or 9 races. That modest headline figure, though, masks the fact that she has been running regularly in top-level company where even getting placed is genuinely hard.

The partnership with Dobie is one of the more interesting threads in her story. In 10 races together they have won twice, a win rate of 20% — roughly 1 in every 5 — which is a strong return at the level Betty Clover competes at. Her best performances come on normal ground and over the sharper distances of five to six and a half furlongs, where she has won 2 from 7 races (29%).

The most recent chapter has been complicated. Her trainer revealed she was beaten by a nose in a Listed race at Goodwood and then ran third in a Group 2 in France — results that suggest she remains competitive at a high level. But at Royal Ascot she was pulled up, reportedly after hitting a joint, with her jockey William Buick making the call to stop rather than push on. Johnson Houghton was clear that she was relieved by the decision. Betty Clover ran just yesterday and the team are clearly managing her carefully while keeping her active.

Houghton's yard has sent out 42 winners this season, so this is a busy, successful operation. Betty Clover sits near the top of their ambitions — a horse bred at home, capable of winning at the highest level, and apparently not done yet.