The recent form makes for honest reading. In the last six races, Faithful Dream has finished 9th, 3rd, 5th, 5th, 2nd, and 4th — a pattern that tells a fairly consistent story. There are glimmers in there, particularly that second place, which shows the horse can get competitive. But the ninth is a reminder that on some days it simply doesn't fire. A horse that finishes in the top three but never wins is one of racing's familiar puzzles: good enough to place, not yet good enough to win.
Jockey Alistair Rawlinson has partnered Faithful Dream five times without a win between them, and the horse has raced four times at Class 6 level — the entry-level tier of British racing — without breaking through there either. That is worth noting. Class 6 is about as accessible as competitive racing gets, so the absence of a win at that level underlines that Faithful Dream has genuine ground to make up.
The trainer is Michael Appleby, whose yard in Oakham, Rutland, is clearly in good health this season — 74 winners sent out is a serious number, reflecting a stable that knows how to get horses ready to win. Appleby has the tools and the record. Whether Faithful Dream can eventually add to that tally is the open question. The horse raced just yesterday and remains very much in training, which means the story is still being written. For now, though, it is the story of a horse that keeps turning up, keeps running, and keeps waiting for the day everything clicks.
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton Galloping |
3 | 1 second, 2 other | 17 Mar | 0% |
| Nottingham Galloping |
2 | 1 third, 1 other | 26 Apr | 0% |
| Kempton Park Galloping |
2 | 1 second, 1 other | 2 Mar | 0% |
| Leicester Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 7 Oct | 0% |
| Southwell Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 7 Apr | 0% |
| Beverley Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 5 May | 0% |
| Newmarket Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 16 May | 0% |
| Newcastle Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 31 Jan | 0% |