Dalmatic

What makes the breakthrough worth noting is that it came so late in the horse's career. At six years old, many horses are already past their peak, yet Dalmatic finally proved it could get to the line ahead of its rivals. Since that win at Limerick ten months ago, though, form has been inconsistent. The last six runs show a fourth, a tenth, another fourth, a second-place finish, a thirteenth, and then a fourth — the kind of mixed results that suggest the horse is still searching for another day in the sun. Recent form is patchy enough that another win is far from guaranteed, despite now knowing Dalmatic has it in them.

Trainer W J O'Doherty, based at Ballingarry in County Limerick, has only managed two winners from the entire yard this season, so the breakthrough with Dalmatic was a valuable one. Philip Byrnes, the horse's most frequent rider, has had five rides aboard but without a win — suggesting the partnership has yet to find its rhythm. With Dalmatic active and currently in work, there is still time for another victory to come, but it will likely require the horse to rediscover the form that took it to the winner's circle at the tail end of 2025.