The two-year-old has raced just three times so far, finishing second, fourth, and seventh. That second place is the one to hold onto — it shows the ability is there, even if it hasn't translated into a win yet. The more recent finishes of fourth and seventh suggest things got harder as the season went on, which is not unusual for a young horse still learning the game. What matters now is whether that ten-month break has allowed Des Moines to grow into something better.
The trainer is Aidan P O'Brien, based at Ballydoyle in Cashel, County Tipperary — one of the most famous racing yards in the world. This is not a stable where horses drift quietly into obscurity. O'Brien's team has sent out 145 winners already this season, a number that puts most yards to shame and reflects an operation built around producing top-class horses at the biggest occasions. When a horse comes out of Ballydoyle after a long break, it is usually because the team believe the time away has done some good. Des Moines hasn't won yet, but the address alone earns a second look.
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cork Galloping |
1 | 1 second | 6 May | 0% |
| Galway Tight |
1 | 1 other | 10 Sep | 0% |
| Navan Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 9 Oct | 0% |