The win came at Leopardstown in May 2025, which is worth noting. Leopardstown is one of Ireland's most prestigious tracks, a circuit that regularly hosts the country's best horses, so breaking through there rather than at a smaller venue suggests Zodiac Bear was already mixing it with decent company from the start.
What adds intrigue now is the gap. Zodiac Bear has not raced for roughly nine months, which is a significant absence for a three-year-old at a stage of life when development comes quickly. A return from that kind of break always raises questions — has the horse trained on? Has it grown into itself? The most recent form figures show a win, then a third, then an eleventh, so there is some inconsistency to account for alongside the promise.
The horse is trained by JP Murtagh at Coolaghknock Glebe in Co Kildare, a yard that has sent out 56 winners already this season. That is a stable operating with serious momentum, and horses returning from breaks in busy, confident yards tend to come back well-prepared. Murtagh knows how to place a horse, and with only three career races under the belt, Zodiac Bear still has plenty of options open to it. The story is young, and the next chapter will tell us a great deal.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leopardstown Galloping |
2 | 1 win, 1 third | 12 Jun | 50% |
| The Curragh Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 16 Mar | 0% |