Schiehallion

The horse ran just yesterday, finishing tenth, which means Schiehallion is still actively campaigned. Over the last six races, the pattern has been consistently unrewarding: a tenth, then a fifth, then a second, then another tenth. That second-place finish is the closest the horse has come recently to a breakthrough, but it remains elusive. Michael J Molloy, the jockey who rides Schiehallion most often, has partnered the horse six times without a win either. Molloy's a capable rider — the kind you'd see regularly — but this particular pairing has never found the answer.

Dermot A McLoughlin trains from Bodeen in County Meath, and his yard has been winning races this season. The trainer clearly believes there is something worth continuing with, otherwise Schiehallion would have been retired long ago. At nine years old, most horses with this record would be put to pasture or dropped to much lower levels. Instead, Schiehallion keeps racing, keeps placing occasionally, and keeps falling short of that elusive first victory. The horse represents the long tail of racing: not quite good enough to win, but still in the mix, still trying, still turning up to the track. It's a particular kind of persistence that belongs only to racehorses.