Big Bard

The foundation of Big Bard's career is Class 6 racing — the bread-and-butter tier of British racing, where reliable horses like this one are the backbone of the sport. Eight of its nine wins, from 37 races at that level (22%), have come there. It is exactly where it belongs, and it performs accordingly. What makes it more interesting is the way conditions shape its performances. On wet or muddy ground, something clicks: 2 wins from just 6 races on soft or heavy surfaces works out to a win rate of 33%, or 1 in 3, which is genuinely impressive. When the heavens open, Big Bard becomes a different proposition.

Then there is Kempton Park. Since its first career win at Chelmsford back in October 2021, Big Bard has developed a particular affinity for the all-weather circuit at Kempton, winning 2 of its 6 races there — most recently as late as January this year. Kempton is a sharp, flat track that suits a horse who races with purpose and consistency. When a horse wins 1 in 3 at a specific venue, you start watching their entries there rather carefully.

Big Bard is trained by Gary and Josh Moore, a father-and-son yard based in Lower Beeding in West Sussex that has sent out 99 winners already this season alone — a serious operation with serious numbers. Tom Queally rides most often, though the partnership has produced just 1 win from 9 outings together (11%), so the combination hasn't quite unlocked the best of the horse yet. Still, with Big Bard still active, still competitive, and clearly thriving under this team's care, there is no sense this story is close to finished.