Mount Shenshan

That solitary win came at Clonmel in February 2025, and it clearly meant something to Thomas Mullins' yard in Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny — because at eight years old, a first career win is genuinely hard-earned. Horses don't usually take 24 attempts to reach the winner's enclosure, and the fact that Mount Shenshan eventually got there says something about the persistence of the team around him. Mullins has sent out just 2 winners this season, so the yard is not exactly firing on all cylinders right now, which gives some context to how things have gone since that Clonmel breakthrough.

The partnership with jockey Danny Mullins has produced nothing in 9 races together — 0 from 9 — which is a stat that catches the eye. That doesn't mean it's been a disaster every time out; seven places from 25 races shows the horse is often competitive enough to finish in the frame, just not quite good enough to win. The recent form of 3rd, 4th, 4th in the last three completed races tells a similar story — always involved, rarely in front when it matters.

What makes Mount Shenshan worth watching, at least briefly, is the fact that he raced just one day ago and is clearly still in active training. At eight, many horses are winding down, but this one is still turning up. Whether a second win ever comes is another question entirely — but for a horse who took 24 races to reach the winner's circle for the first time, the answer probably isn't to stop asking.