Ancient Rome

The Goodwood win itself was a fascinating piece of racing. Jockey Jamie Spencer described it in vivid terms: the pace was strong, the ground was heavy and tiring, and the race essentially crept up and handed itself to Ancient Rome in the final furlong. Spencer tracked another horse through the field, the leader started to fade, and they swept around him. Even then, Ancient Rome lived up to his reputation for doing as little as possible — Spencer asked him to quicken, got four good strides, then felt the horse go lazy again. He even pricked his ears approaching the line, as if he'd spotted something more interesting in the crowd. A horse who wins while looking bored is either very talented or very relaxed, and perhaps both.

The trouble is, that was nearly three years ago. Ancient Rome hasn't won since, and his recent form — finishing 10th, 3rd, 11th, 11th, 12th, and 17th in his last six races — makes for uncomfortable reading. Trainer Charles Hills, based at Lambourn, has been patient. The horse had an injury that ruled him out at the end of last season, and Hills was candid that a big horse like this takes time to get back to his best. Hills' yard has sent out 31 winners this season, so the operation is clearly firing — the question is whether Ancient Rome can find his place in that story again.

His most regular jockey, Jamie Spencer, has ridden him in 5 of his 13 races and won 1 of them — that's a 20% win rate together, which is actually a decent return given how rarely Ancient Rome reaches the winner's enclosure. Spencer clearly understands the horse. Whether that's enough to unlock another big-race performance, with the best days looking increasingly distant, is the question that makes Ancient Rome an intriguing if slightly frustrating horse to follow.