Union Park

The most recent win came at Cork in November 2023 — nearly 30 months ago now — and the last six runs have produced nothing better than a fourth place. Finishes of 11th, 13th, 6th, 4th, 7th and 6th don't set the pulse racing, but Union Park raced just yesterday, which means this is a horse still in regular work, still being pointed at races, still considered worth the effort by trainer P J Rothwell.

Rothwell operates out of Tinahely in County Wicklow and has been in fine form this season, sending out 36 winners — a yard clearly in good health. The fact that he keeps running Union Park says something: experienced trainers don't waste time on horses that have nothing left to offer. When Darragh O'Keeffe takes the ride, the picture looks a bit brighter. O'Keeffe has partnered Union Park nine times and won twice, a win rate of roughly 1 in every 4-and-a-half rides together — 22%, which comfortably outstrips the horse's overall career average and suggests something clicks between the two of them.

The first career win came at Clonmel back in January 2023, and with four wins spread across 44 races and a decade of racing life, Union Park is very much a horse who has earned its place on the circuit the hard way. At 10 years old, the window for adding to that tally is getting smaller, but a trainer with 36 winners on the board this season won't be running a horse just to make up the numbers. The next time O'Keeffe climbs aboard, it might just be worth paying attention.