Son

Trained by Tim Easterby at Great Habton in Yorkshire, Son has competed almost exclusively in top-class races without success, winning none of his seven attempts at that level. The horse performs best over distances between seven furlongs and a mile—his one win came over that ground—but has managed just 1 victory from 17 races suited to his preferred trip. Pat Dobbs, his regular rider, has partnered him 11 times and won once together, a shade under 9 percent. Son's recent form shows a horse still turning up: three finishes and a fourth place in his last six races suggest he remains competitive at a certain level, even if his last visit to the winners' circle feels like ancient history.

What keeps Son in work is the kind of grit that makes him worth following. After running fourth in a significant race earlier in 2024, Easterby spoke about how the horse "stuck his neck out" when he might have given up, showing genuine character. The trainer has deliberately stepped him down from the elite races to find softer opportunities—the right move for a horse of Son's proven level. His owner, Julie Wood, has backed him patiently through these lean years. Son may never win again, but he has already shown enough to suggest he will keep trying.