El Fabiolo

His record at Punchestown is where the story gets particularly interesting. Three wins from four visits to that track amounts to near-total dominance of a course that hosts some of Ireland's most important races. Horses often have quirks — a track that suits their stride, a bend that falls perfectly for them — and Punchestown appears to be El Fabiolo's happy place. His first big moment came at Cheltenham in March 2023, winning a Class 1 race — one of the top races in Britain — which announced him as a horse of genuine quality on the biggest stage.

His partnership with jockey Paul Townend is one of the more compelling relationships in the sport right now. Together they have won 8 of their 14 races, a win rate of 57% — that is nearly 3 in every 5 times they line up together. Townend is widely regarded as one of the best in the business, and the fact that he and El Fabiolo click so consistently is a major part of why the horse keeps finding the winner's enclosure. He is trained by Willie Mullins at Muine Bheag in County Carlow — a yard that has sent out 230 winners this season alone, which is a staggering volume that speaks to the scale and quality of the operation.

Most recently, El Fabiolo won at Leopardstown just six weeks ago, with Townend describing a horse who seemed to be relishing his racing — taking his jumps well and winning with a bit in hand. Mullins has spoken openly about a fall at Punchestown that interrupted his season, but also about the horse's potential back over hurdles, with races like the Aintree Hurdle firmly in the trainer's thinking. El Fabiolo raced just yesterday, confirming he remains active and in form. Whatever comes next, this is a horse near the top of his game at nine — and the yard who clearly believe the best chapters are still to be written.