Dreal Deal

Trained by P J Rothwell out of Tinahely in Co Wicklow, the horse sits within a yard that has been in fine form this season, sending out 35 winners. Rothwell clearly knows how to place his horses shrewdly, and Dreal Deal's record reflects that — four wins spread across a career of 41 races tells you this isn't a horse being thrown at races it can't win. It's being aimed carefully, and it delivers when the conditions are right.

The partnership with jockey Simon Torrens is one of the most striking details in Dreal Deal's story. Together they've won 3 from 10 races — that's a 30% win rate, or nearly 1 in 3, which is exceptional by any measure. For context, a top flat trainer in Britain might average 1 win from every 5 or 6 runners across a full season. When Torrens is in the saddle, something clearly clicks.

The most recent win came at Killarney on 18 July 2025, about 10 months ago, and the last six runs have brought a second place but also a string of mid-field finishes. That second place shows the ability hasn't evaporated completely, but there's clearly work to do to find the right race and the right conditions to get back to the winner's enclosure. At 11, the window isn't unlimited — but the fact that this horse raced just one day ago tells you everything about its constitution and durability.

Dreal Deal isn't a horse that's going to headline a major festival, and its £-level career has been built in the grind of competitive everyday racing rather than the big occasions. But longevity, toughness, and that remarkable record alongside Torrens make this one of those quietly fascinating horses that any racing fan would enjoy following.