Montregard

The numbers that really stand out are what he's done over the last six races: three wins, two places, and only one blank. That kind of consistency is rare, and it's been building toward something. On 14 February 2026, Montregard stepped up and won a Class 1 race at Ascot — the highest tier of racing in Britain. For a horse who began his career winning a modest race at Warwick in April 2023, that's a significant leap, and it suggests Lacey has developed him carefully rather than rushing him through the grades.

Ascot appears to suit him particularly well. He's won 2 of his 3 races there, and there's something about the track that brings out his best — whether it's the layout, the ground, or simply the occasion. His trainer hasn't been shy about getting the best out of him when things haven't clicked either: after a disappointing run at Newcastle, Lacey tried cheekpieces at Wetherby and the horse responded immediately, toughing it out to win. That kind of adaptability — both from trainer and horse — is worth noting.

Most of his races have been at Class 4 level, where he's won 5 from 11, roughly 1 in every 2 races. That's a dominant record at that tier. The Class 1 win at Ascot represents a step into far deeper water, and it will be fascinating to see whether Lacey pitches him back into that company or consolidates from here. Stan Sheppard, who has partnered him in 11 of his 17 races and won 4 of them together, remains the regular rider — a partnership that clearly works. With the yard firing on all cylinders — 37 winners already this season — and Montregard having raced just yesterday and still in active training, this is a horse whose next chapter is very much still being written.