Edwardstone

That record of 9 wins and 19 places from 29 races — a win rate of roughly 1 in every 3 — is all the more striking when you understand the context. This is not a horse that has been padding his stats in easier races. His wins include top-level races at Cheltenham, Sandown, Kempton, and Newbury, the kind of venues and occasions that define careers. His first win came at Warwick in November 2021, and within four months he had won a Class 1 race at Cheltenham — one of the most famous and demanding venues in the sport. He has also won 2 of his 3 races at Warwick, suggesting a genuine affinity for the track where his story began.

The partnership with jockey Tom Cannon is central to the horse's identity. Together they have won 8 of their 28 races — roughly 1 in every 3.5 — and Cannon has spoken about Edwardstone with a warmth that goes well beyond professional admiration, calling him the best horse he has ever ridden and admitting he was thinking about retirement conversations even as they walked out to race. Trainer Alan King, based in Wiltshire, clearly shares that affection, but is not yet ready to close the chapter. After a recent run, King said he was not ruling out going up in distance rather than stepping back. That is not the language of a trainer managing a horse towards the exit — it is the language of someone who still sees more to come.

The horse thrives on slightly soft, wet ground, winning 5 from 9 races in those conditions — a remarkable 56% rate. His recent form reads 1-3-4-1-2-4, showing a horse still competing at the front of the pack in the sport's toughest races. Whether retirement comes this spring or not, Edwardstone has already earned his place among the most durable and decorated horses of his generation.