Rousing Encore

The most recent of them was at York in May 2025, a Class 1 or 2 race over six furlongs on fast, dry ground — one of the better races in the British calendar, at one of its most prestigious tracks. Jockey James Sullivan, who rides Rousing Encore more than anyone else, steered him to the rail and let him battle it out, and battle is apparently exactly what this horse does. Ruth Carr noted afterwards that he needed cover but couldn't afford to come from too far back on a quick surface — a tricky puzzle that Sullivan solved neatly. Carr was characteristically matter-of-fact: there are plenty of decent six-furlong races to go at, and she means it.

The York win wasn't a one-off at that level. Rousing Encore won a Class 2 at Pontefract back in 2022 as well, and has competed at that standard in 16 of his 47 races, winning 2 of them — roughly 1 in 8. That's a respectable return against good company. He is also a genuine course specialist at Ayr, winning 2 of his 4 races there — that's half of everything he's ever run on that track, which is a remarkable ratio and the kind of stat that makes a horse worth keeping a close eye on when the Ayr entries come around.

Sullivan and Rousing Encore have form together across 23 races, yielding 3 wins — again, around 1 in every 8. That's a consistent partnership rather than a spectacular one, but consistency matters, and Carr clearly trusts them together. She has described him as her ride at home, which says something about the affection a yard builds for a horse that just keeps showing up and doing his job. Carr's team has already sent out 63 winners this season, and with Rousing Encore raced just one day ago and a race at Newmarket on the horizon, he is firmly part of those plans. Don't expect fireworks — but don't be surprised if he's there at the finish either.