Appian Way

Both of those wins came in a fortnight-long spell back in the autumn of 2022 — first at Clonmel on 29 September, then at Downpatrick eight days later on 7 October. That second win is now 44 months in the rear-view mirror, which is a long time in any sport. Since then, Appian Way has gone out to race and come home without a win on 30 or more occasions, and the most recent six runs tell a story of a horse that is finishing well down the field — placings of 9th, 10th, 13th, 9th, and a couple of others that suggest the spark from that brief 2022 purple patch has been difficult to rediscover.

Regular jockey Ethan O'Sullivan has had 10 rides on the horse without getting a win, which is a tough run for any partnership to absorb. Trainer Ms M Flynn, based at Stradbally in Co Waterford, has had just one winner from the yard this season — so this is a small operation doing things on a modest scale rather than a powerhouse stable with deep resources. What's striking, though, is that Appian Way is still active — it raced just one day ago, still putting in the miles at 10 years old. Some horses at this stage of their careers are simply doing what they love, turning up and competing, and there is something quietly admirable about that. Whether another win is coming is another question entirely, but Appian Way clearly isn't done yet.