Bold Optimist

The partnership with jockey Ben Coen is the most interesting thread to pull on here. In eight races together, Coen has guided Bold Optimist to 2 of its 3 career wins — a win rate of 25%, or roughly 1 in every 4 rides. That is meaningfully better than the horse's overall record, and it suggests something clicks between them. When Daniel McLoughlin's team puts Coen in the saddle, the results follow more often than not.

The most recent win came at The Curragh in August 2024, which is now 23 months ago — a long wait by any measure. Since then, Bold Optimist has run six times without winning, with a third and a second place in that stretch showing the ability is still there. A horse that keeps posting placed efforts is telling you it belongs at this level; it just has not quite found the right moment to go one better. The dash at the end of the recent form — indicating a run where no finishing position was recorded — adds a small mystery to the sequence, but the broader picture is of a horse knocking on the door rather than falling away.

McLoughlin has had a productive season at the Newbridge operation, sending out 9 winners, and Bold Optimist raced as recently as yesterday, which signals the team still has plans for this horse. The first career win came at Dundalk back in October 2023, a track known for its all-weather surface and evening meetings. Getting off the mark there, then winning at The Curragh — one of Ireland's most prestigious venues — shows Bold Optimist has operated at a reasonable level throughout. Whether another win is coming soon is the question the form leaves tantalisingly open.