Circus Of Rome

The horse has been trained throughout by Richard Hughes at Upper Lambourn in Berkshire, one of British racing's most famous training villages. Hughes has had a productive season — 60 winners sent out already — and Circus Of Rome is part of a yard that clearly knows what it is doing. The most regular jockey partnership is with Finley Marsh, who has ridden the horse in 9 of its 11 races and has 3 wins to show for it, a win rate of 1 in 3. That kind of continuity between horse and rider matters: Marsh knows this animal, and the numbers suggest the relationship works.

What gives the profile an extra edge of interest is the level at which Circus Of Rome has been operating. In Class 3 races — solid, competitive contests a step below the very elite level — it has won 2 from 3, which is as close to dominance as you can get at that grade. It first broke its duck at Wolverhampton in March 2025, then reached a high point with a win at Newcastle in August, and it raced again just yesterday, keeping itself firmly in the frame as an active, well-placed horse.

The recent form reads 5-6-4-1-1-7, which tells an interesting story: back-to-back wins followed by a dip, which is not unusual for a young horse still finding its ceiling. The task now is straightforward — find the right race at the right distance, and Circus Of Rome has already shown it can win at this level. That August win at Newcastle is only 8 months old. This is a horse with unfinished business.