Castle Ivers

Trained by Olly Murphy at his yard in Wilmcote, Warwickshire, Castle Ivers has taken time to find his feet — but when he did, he made up for lost time quickly. Murphy has spoken openly about the horse missing a full year through injury after his first win over hurdles, which makes his recent form all the more remarkable. Coming back from a lengthy absence with almost no experience in competitive races, he went to Perth and beat a well-regarded rival, Trust House, in a performance that Murphy said did not surprise him one bit. That kind of quiet confidence from a trainer says a lot.

The partnership with jockey Sean Bowen has been crucial. Together they have won 3 of 5 races — a 60% win rate, or 3 in every 5 rides — which is an unusually strong record for a horse-and-jockey combination. When Bowen is in the saddle, Castle Ivers tends to win. Murphy has mentioned Aintree and Ayr as potential targets, while also suggesting the horse may be better saved for next season, hinting that the best is genuinely still to come.

What makes this profile so striking is the timing. Castle Ivers raced just one day ago, winning at Worcester on 6 June 2026 — his most recent victory in what is becoming a habit. His first career win came at Southwell back in December 2023, and the journey since has included injury, patience, and an increasingly impressive return to form. Murphy's yard has sent out 146 winners this season alone, so there is no shortage of talent in Wilmcote — but Castle Ivers, with his near-perfect record and a trainer talking about festivals, looks like one of the yard's genuine flagbearers right now.