Laffer Curve

Dan Skelton, who trains out of Alcester in Warwickshire, is one of the most prolific handlers in British racing right now. His yard has sent out 194 winners already this season alone — that is a remarkable volume of success, and it tells you something that a horse like Laffer Curve is sitting in his string. Skelton does not keep passengers around for long.

The horse itself is only five years old and has placed twice from six races — finishing in the top three on two occasions without quite getting over the line. The recent form figures read 4-3-3-4-5-4, which tells a story of a horse that has been knocking on the door at times, finding a bit of consistency in those middle runs, but not yet delivering the breakthrough. Crucially, Laffer Curve raced just yesterday, so this is very much an active, ongoing story rather than a cold case.

What makes the situation genuinely interesting is the financial incentive sitting behind a potential first win. Skelton has spoken about the Great British Bonus scheme — a programme that pays out extra prize money to horses who win specific early-career races. If Laffer Curve can get off the mark in the right race, there is a meaningful bonus up for grabs, which adds an extra layer of motivation for the team to keep targeting the right opportunities. Skelton described the horse as big, strong, and scopey — the kind of physical presence that suggests she might be capable of more than her record currently shows, and that the yard are thinking about her long-term rather than just chasing a quick result.

Six races without a win sounds discouraging, but for a horse of this profile and with this trainer behind her, the situation looks more like patience than failure. The pieces are in place — now it is just a matter of when.