Turkey And Ham

That right day arrived at Kilbeggan on 24 April 2025, when Turkey And Ham got off the mark for trainer Noel C Kelly. Kilbeggan is a small, rural Irish track with a loyal following, and a win there might not set the world alight, but it matters — it is proof the horse can cross the line first when conditions click. The fact that this remains the only win in 11 races tells you it has not been easy to repeat, but the memory of it is recent enough to keep the yard optimistic.

The recent form makes for mixed reading. Reading right to left — most recent first — it goes 6-1-6-4-3-11, which is exactly the kind of sequence that sums Turkey And Ham up: a big effort sandwiched between disappointing runs. The "1" in that sequence is the Kilbeggan win, and the numbers either side of it suggest a horse that peaks briefly and then goes quiet again. Racing at the level below the top tier, Turkey And Ham has yet to win at that grade in four attempts — a blank record that suggests it finds things competitive when the quality improves slightly.

Noel C Kelly, training out of Draperstown in County Derry, has had a productive season — 14 winners sent out is a solid return for a yard of that size, suggesting Kelly knows how to place a horse well. The fact that Turkey And Ham raced just one day ago means it is currently in the thick of an active campaign, which is worth noting. Whether the yard can find the right opportunity to bring the best out of this horse again remains the question. One win from 11 is a slim return, but racing can turn quickly — and Turkey And Ham has at least proved it is capable of winning.