Shiplake

Trained by Kevin Philippart De Foy out of Newmarket in Suffolk, Shiplake is part of a yard that has sent out 40 winners already this season, which tells you something about the operation behind the horse. De Foy runs a sharp, productive stable, and a horse carrying three wins and six placed finishes from 11 races fits the profile of a reliable performer rather than a flashy one-hit wonder. Shiplake has been in the money — either winning or finishing in the top places — in nine of those 11 races, which is quietly impressive.

The horse's biggest strength is ground conditions. On normal, standard ground, Shiplake has won 3 of just 4 races — a remarkable 75% win rate. That is not a coincidence; that is a horse that genuinely thrives when conditions suit. When the ground is right, this horse becomes a very different proposition, and anyone following Shiplake would do well to keep one eye on the weather forecast.

The career arc has some momentum to it. The first win came at Newcastle in November 2024, and the most recent arrived at Southwell in January 2026 — just four months ago. Two wins from the last six races shows the horse is still competitive and not flattening out. The recent string of form reads 23-1-1-6-3-4 from the latest run back, which translates to a couple of solid efforts sandwiched around two wins, and some more modest days too. Not every race goes to plan, and at Class 4 level — the mid-tier of British racing — Shiplake has won just 1 of 7 races at that grade, suggesting the horse does its best work when the competition is a touch more open.

What emerges is a picture of a horse that knows how to win, does it best in the right conditions, and is backed by a trainer who clearly knows how to place a horse where it can perform. Keep an eye out for Shiplake when the ground is good.