Chief Black Robe

The most interesting chapter of this story is written at Newton Abbot, a tight, turning track in Devon that suits certain horses like a glove. Chief Black Robe has won 2 of 5 races there — that is 40%, which is the kind of record that should make anyone pay attention when this horse is entered on that course. Some horses simply click with a particular track, whether it is the shape of the bends, the nature of the ground, or something harder to explain. Whatever the reason, Newton Abbot has been kind.

The partnership with jockey Mr Tom Broughton is also worth noting. In 12 races together, they have won 4 times — a win rate of 33%, or 1 in every 3 rides. That is a genuinely striking number. For context, the horse's overall win rate across all jockeys is 1 in 6. Put Broughton in the saddle and those odds roughly double, which tells you the two have developed a real understanding.

Behind the scenes, the horse is trained by Fergal O'Brien at his yard in Withington, Gloucestershire — a stable in strong form, having sent out 90 winners already this season. Good horses come from well-run yards, and O'Brien's operation is clearly ticking along nicely.

The honest part of the picture is that Chief Black Robe has not won since Worcester in July 2023, now 34 months ago. The recent form — a third place and a second buried among some blank runs — suggests the wins have dried up, and at ten years old, that window may be narrowing. But the horse raced just yesterday and is clearly still in training, still competing, still occasionally threatening. For a horse that quietly dominates one course and fires best with one particular jockey, there are worse reasons to keep watching.