The partnership with jockey Ronan Whelan is the statistic that stands out most starkly. Twenty-three rides together and not a single winner — that is a combination that has simply not clicked, at least not yet. Whelan is clearly the go-to jockey for the yard, but that volume of runners without a return suggests either the horses have not been quite right, the races have not suited, or both. It is the kind of run that tests patience on both sides.
On a brighter note, the horse Brave Approach has provided at least one moment to savour, winning 1 of their 6 races together. That ratio is modest, but in a lean season, a reliable performer who knows how to win is worth its weight. On wet or muddy ground specifically, the yard has shown a little more life — 1 winner from 15 races on soft conditions represents a 7% return, which is more than double the overall season average. That is a small but genuine signal that Fahey's horses may prefer give in the ground, and it is the sort of detail worth filing away.
Thirty-four career winners in four years tells you this is a trainer who knows how to get a horse ready to win. The current dip looks more like a rough patch than a structural problem — but with just 3 winners from 113 attempts this season, Fahey will be well aware that a turnaround needs to come soon.
| Course | Races | Wins | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Curragh | 12 | 0 | 0% |
| Dundalk | 10 | 1 | 10% |
| Down Royal | 10 | 0 | 0% |
| Navan | 10 | 0 | 0% |
| Naas | 9 | 0 | 0% |
| Cork | 7 | 0 | 0% |
| Gowran Park | 7 | 0 | 0% |
| Fairyhouse | 5 | 0 | 0% |
| Limerick | 5 | 0 | 0% |
| Kilbeggan | 5 | 0 | 0% |
| Wexford | 5 | 0 | 0% |
| Bellewstown | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| Listowel | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| Punchestown | 3 | 1 | 33.3% |
| Tipperary | 3 | 0 | 0% |
| Thurles | 3 | 0 | 0% |
| Galway | 2 | 1 | 50% |
| Roscommon | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Leopardstown | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Ballinrobe | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Tramore | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Aintree | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Clonmel | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Killarney | 1 | 0 | 0% |