Torcello

The highlight of its career came at Goodwood on 10 October 2021, when Torcello won a top-tier Class 2 race — one of the better prizes in British racing. That was also its first career win, which makes it all the more satisfying: when the big moment arrived, the horse rose to it. Goodwood is a famously tricky, undulating track on the South Downs, and winning there at the top level is something most horses never manage.

Its best distance is somewhere between a mile and three furlongs and a mile and four furlongs — a middle-distance trip that suits a horse with stamina rather than raw speed. In 5 races at that range, it has won once, a 20% win rate that is notably better than its overall record. At Class 2 level — where it spends most of its time — the numbers are tougher: 1 win from 12 races, roughly 1 in 12, which reflects just how competitive that tier is. Finishing in the top two or three at that level still means beating decent horses.

The last win came at Pontefract in April 2024, now two years ago, and the recent form makes for uncomfortable reading: its last six runs read 3-7-11-11-6-8, with no finish better than third. That third place is the one glimmer — it shows the ability is not entirely gone. Torcello has had a short break of 39 days since its last race, which sometimes freshens a horse up, though at 12 that is harder to guarantee.

Shaun Lycett trains from Leafield in Oxfordshire, a small yard that has sent out 2 winners this season. That is a modest total, which means every runner matters and every race is chosen carefully. Torcello is unlikely to be adding to its win tally regularly at this stage, but it has a Goodwood Class 2 on its record that most horses would envy. At 12, just lining up is a small achievement in itself.