Brian The Snail

Across 48 races, he has won 6 times and finished in the places on another 17 occasions, giving him a win rate of around 1 in every 8 races. That is a modest return on paper, but context matters: he has spent most of his career competing at Class 5, which is the entry level of British racing. These are competitive little races full of horses all trying to find a win wherever they can, and Brian The Snail has managed to beat them six times. His first win came at Ripon in June 2023, so this is not ancient history — he has been a winning racehorse for only the last three years of a long career.

What stands out in his numbers is how much he seems to enjoy dry ground. On fast, firm conditions he has won 3 times from 12 races — that is 1 in every 4, which is a dramatically better record than his overall average. When the sun is out and the ground is quick, he becomes a different proposition. His trainer Patrick Morris, based in Prescott on Merseyside, clearly knows how to place him, and the yard has been in fine form this season with 22 winners already sent out.

Ryan Kavanagh rides him most often, the pair having teamed up 7 times for 1 win together — a 14% win rate, or roughly 1 in 7, which actually tracks slightly above Brian The Snail's career average. His recent form reads 1-3-8-4-7-9, which is a bit of a rollercoaster, but that win and that place at the top of the list are the ones that matter. He raced just yesterday, which means he is fit, active, and still being taken seriously by his team.

Twelve years old and winning races this week. Brian The Snail is living proof that the name does not always tell the whole story.