Moodofthemoment

The most striking thing about Moodofthemoment is the value it represents. Bought out of Ireland for just £5,500, it came with a name attached — David Pipe, one of jump racing's top trainers, had been interested — but never quite delivered over there. David Thompson's yard in Bolam, County Durham, picked it up and got to work. The transformation has been remarkable. From a rating of 92 back in August, Moodofthemoment has climbed to 106, and Thompson believes there is still more to come from a horse he describes as unexposed — racing shorthand for a horse whose ceiling has not yet been tested.

The partnership with jockey Stan Sheppard has been central to the story. In 10 races together they have won 3, a win rate of 30% — which, in jump racing, is exceptional. Thompson's post-race comment after Hereford said it all: Stan Sheppard is a finisher, he said, and there are not many people who can beat Sam Twiston-Davies in a driving finish. That Hereford win in October 2024 opened the account, and Moodofthemoment has since made the track something of a personal fiefdom — 2 wins from just 3 visits. Courses that suit a horse's style can make a huge difference, and Hereford clearly suits this one.

On normal ground, the numbers are equally encouraging: 3 wins from 13 races, winning roughly 1 in every 4 runs in standard conditions. For a horse operating mostly at Class 4 level — the solid, competitive middle tier of British jump racing — that is a decent return, and Thompson clearly has ambitions to push higher. With nine winners from a small yard of around twelve horses this season, the form of the whole operation is good, and Moodofthemoment, last seen racing just yesterday and heading next to Taunton, looks like the standard-bearer.