Malbas

Trained by Edward Buckley out of Ratoath in County Meath, Malbas got off the mark at Killarney back in October 2021, and the yard has clearly kept faith with him ever since. Buckley's team have sent out 5 winners already this season, so this is not a sleepy operation — they know what they are doing. Most often in the saddle is Kieren Buckley, who has a notably strong record on the horse: 2 wins from 7 rides together, meaning he has won on Malbas roughly 1 in every 3 times he has partnered him. That is a striking number and suggests a genuine understanding between horse and rider.

The most recent win came at Kilbeggan on 1 June 2025 — about a year ago now — and since then Malbas has gone six races without adding to that tally. The recent form figures of 11th, pulled up, 9th, 8th, 2nd, and 13th paint a mixed picture, with that second-place finish standing out as a reminder that the ability is still there. A horse does not finish runner-up by accident, and at 10 years old, Malbas clearly still has the appetite to compete. The pulled-up run is worth noting — those happen, but it will be something the team will want firmly in the rear-view mirror.

Having raced just yesterday, Malbas is very much an active runner, and the Buckley yard clearly have plans for him. Whether he can rediscover the winning thread is the question, but a horse with his experience is rarely far away when things click. Keep an eye on him, particularly if Kieren Buckley is booked for the ride — that partnership has a habit of delivering.