The recent form shows a pair of fifth-place finishes sandwiched between two races where it didn't place at all, and the horse was back out competing just yesterday, which tells you the team are keeping it busy and confident it belongs on a track. One placing from four races is modest, but it is not a disaster for a horse still learning the job.
What does give genuine cause for optimism is where Eighteenth Smiles is trained. Joseph Patrick O'Brien's yard at Owning Hill in County Kilkenny has sent out 160 winners already this season — a remarkable number that puts it among the most productive operations in Irish racing. When a yard is firing at that level, the horses around it tend to be well prepared and well placed. O'Brien himself made the transition from being one of the best jockeys in the world to becoming one of the sharpest trainers of his generation, and his operation has a strong reputation for developing young horses patiently rather than burning them out early.
For a two-year-old with no wins yet, the most honest thing you can say is that the interesting part is still to come.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listowel Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 31 May | 0% |
| Cork Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 3 May | 0% |
| Redcar Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 18 May | 0% |
| Navan Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 11 Jul | 0% |