The distance picture is worth paying attention to. Over the shorter trips — five furlongs to six and a half furlongs — Sapphire Steps has won 1 from 3 races, a solid 33% win rate at those distances. That is the kind of number that tells you a horse has a genuine preference, not just a coincidence. Sprint trips seem to suit, and any trainer worth their salt will be keeping that in mind when entries are made.
Speaking of trainers, Richard Hannon is about as well-resourced a handler as you could ask for. His yard at Herridge in Wiltshire has sent out 118 winners already this season — a number that speaks to a large, well-run operation with horses of all abilities. A horse like Sapphire Steps sits in good company there, and the infrastructure to place it wisely is clearly in place.
The notable caveat is that the Newbury win came around ten months ago, and the form since — finishing fifth and then eighth in its two most recent outings — suggests Sapphire Steps has not yet managed to kick on from that breakthrough. Still, the horse is only three, raced just yesterday, and there is plenty of time to build on that solitary win. Whether it can recapture the spark that lit up Newbury in July is the interesting question hanging over everything that comes next.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newbury Galloping |
4 | 1 win, 3 other | 16 May | 25% |
| Newmarket Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 23 Aug | 0% |