The most interesting chapter in his story is Musselburgh. That tight, flat track on the Firth of Forth is clearly where he feels most at home — 2 wins from 11 races there makes it easily his happiest hunting ground, and when you consider he has only won 4 races in his entire life, the fact that half of them have come at one venue says something real. His last win came there in November 2024, so it has been about 19 months since he last got his head in front. Six races without a win since then, finishing fourth or worse in all of them, suggests he is working hard without quite getting there.
His most regular partner in the saddle, Patrick Wadge, has ridden him nine times without winning together — 0 from 9 is a tough record, though it probably reflects the horse's general profile more than any lack of chemistry. Dr Shirocco placed in 14 of those 44 races, meaning he has finished in the money — first, second, or third — in just over 40% of his outings. That is not nothing. It means he earns his keep, shows up, and almost always gives a respectable account of himself.
He raced just yesterday, which tells you everything about his constitution — still active, still willing at 11. He is not a horse who has lit up a big occasion or earned headline money, but he is a genuine, durable competitor who has made Musselburgh feel like a second home. If he is going to win again, that is almost certainly where it will happen.
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hexham Undulating |
18 | 2 wins, 1 second, 4 thirds, 11 other | 13 Jun | 11.1% |
| Musselburgh Sharp |
11 | 2 wins, 4 seconds, 5 other | 20 Mar | 18.2% |
| Kelso Undulating |
7 | 1 third, 6 other | 25 Oct | 0% |
| Sedgefield Sharp |
3 | 3 other | 5 Nov | 0% |
| Newcastle Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 9 Apr | 0% |
| Carlisle Undulating |
2 | 2 other | 8 Apr | 0% |
| Perth Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 28 Apr | 0% |