Sir William

The one win that does sit on his record came at Windsor in August 2025, over a trip of around a mile and a half — the kind of distance that suits a horse who likes to grind rather than sprint. At that distance (between 1m3f and 1m4f), he has won 1 from 8 attempts, a 12% conversion rate, which is actually better than his overall record and points to where his best chance of a second win lies. Windsor clearly suited him that day. The frustrating detail is that it was ten months ago, and the six races since have brought nothing but places.

He is trained by Charlie Johnston at Middleham Moor in North Yorkshire, part of one of the most productive yards in the country right now — 128 winners already this season is a serious number, and speaks to a team that knows how to get horses ready to run. Tom Marquand rides Sir William most often, and together they have combined for that one win from seven races, a win rate of around 1 in 7 when paired up, which is actually respectable. The partnership has something to build on, even if results have been quiet lately.

The other number worth noting is that Sir William has raced ten times at Class 4 level — the middle tier of British racing — without winning once. That 0 from 10 record at the level he most frequently competes at is the awkward truth at the heart of his profile. He is finishing in the frame regularly enough to suggest he belongs at this level, but not winning, which raises a reasonable question about whether a drop in class might unlock that second victory. Raced just yesterday and still active, there is clearly plenty more to come from this four-year-old. Whether the wins follow is the question.