The real story is in how Burning Ability has raced since that breakthrough win. Over the last six outings, the horse has finished in the placings four times—second, first, second, and third—with only two runs outside the frame. That kind of consistency, even in defeat, matters far more than the bare win rate of roughly 1 in every 8 races. What stands out is the pair of second-place finishes in recent weeks, both just short of victory. For a horse that took nearly its entire career to register a first win, finding its way to the front so regularly now suggests Burning Ability may have finally found the right level of competition or conditions to suit.
McCarthy's yard at Athea has sent out 15 winners this season, indicating a stable producing results, and the fact that Burning Ability is still actively racing—last seen just a day ago—means there will be opportunities ahead to build on that solitary victory. At five years old, the horse is in its prime years, and if the recent form trend continues, that first win at Listowel may turn out to have been the beginning rather than the exception.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listowel Sharp |
2 | 1 win, 1 other | 30 May | 50% |
| Galway Tight |
2 | 1 second, 1 other | 1 Aug | 0% |
| Limerick Galloping |
2 | 1 second, 1 other | 10 Feb | 0% |
| Naas Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 15 Dec | 0% |
| Bellewstown Sharp |
1 | 1 second | 4 Jul | 0% |