Brian

The career highlight came on 24 August 2024, when Brian won the Newmarket (July) at Newmarket — a Class 2 race, meaning one of the better contests in British racing. That is not a race won by an ordinary horse. It points to real ability on the right day, and it remains the moment everything clicked. The first win had come just six weeks earlier at Newbury in July 2024, so there was a spell last summer when Brian looked like a horse on the way up.

Since then, the wins have dried up. Brian has not crossed the line first in any of the 6 races since that Newmarket success — 19 months ago now — and the recent form makes for sobering reading: finishes of 10th, 7th, 9th, 2nd, 5th, and 9th. The second place shows the ability is still there somewhere, but Brian has spent most of 2025 finishing in the middle or back of the pack. It is worth noting that 7 of Brian's races have come at Class 1 level, the very top tier of British racing, and Brian has not won any of them. That is a tough ask for any horse.

The partnership with jockey Liam Keniry is the one constant worth watching. In 8 races together, Keniry has ridden Brian to both of those career wins — a win rate of 25%, or 1 in every 4 rides. That is a notably better record than Brian manages with anyone else, and it suggests the two have built something of an understanding. Trainer J S Moore, based at Upper Lambourn in Berkshire, has sent out 17 winners this season, so the yard is in decent form. Brian is currently active, having raced just three days ago, which means the yard are clearly still looking for that elusive next victory. With the right trip and Keniry in the saddle, it would be unwise to write Brian off entirely.