Torquay Road

Across 20 races, Torquay Road has won 3 times and finished in the places on 6 other occasions — a solid enough career record, though not one that screams superstar. But dig into the conditions and a pattern emerges. On slightly soft ground, Torquay Road has won 2 of its 4 races. That is a 50% win rate on that surface, which in horse racing terms is the kind of statistic that makes trainers keep a close eye on the weather forecast. Some horses are versatile; this one has a very clear preference, and when the conditions suit, it becomes a completely different animal.

The most recent win came at Galway on 7 October 2025 — about seven months ago now — and that was only Torquay Road's second career victory, the first having arrived at Sligo back in July 2024. Wins have not come quickly, but they have come at decent tracks, and Galway in particular is one of the most competitive and celebrated racing venues in Ireland. Winning there is not something that happens by accident.

Recent form tells a more complicated story. The last six runs read 7-2-6-3-4-7 — two placed efforts tucked in among some disappointing finishes, and no win in that run. The second place is encouraging, proof that the ability is still there, but the horse has not been able to convert. Torquay Road raced just yesterday, so it is clearly being kept busy, and Collins is a trainer worth following: his yard has sent out 20 winners already this season, which speaks to a well-managed operation.

When Danny Gilligan is in the saddle, things tend to go better — together they have won 2 of their 5 races, a 40% win rate that is hard to argue with. That partnership, a soft-ground forecast, and a track that suits could be exactly the combination that brings Torquay Road back to the winner's enclosure.