Gabbys Cross

The two wins that do exist came in a five-month window back in 2022 — first at Naas in February, then at Galway in July. Galway in particular is one of racing's great occasions, a festival atmosphere with passionate crowds, and crossing the line there is worth remembering. The problem is that was 45 months ago, and nothing has come close since. The last six races tell a story of fading relevance: a second place is in there, and a third, but also a distant 13th, and no win. At 11, horses are not typically getting faster.

When Rachael Blackmore has been in the saddle — nine times in total — the results have been noticeably sharper. Those two career wins both came with her aboard, giving them a 22% win rate together, or 2 wins from 9 rides. That is nearly 1 in every 4 races, which stands out clearly against the overall record. Whether that reflects Blackmore's ability to get the best from this particular horse, or simply good timing, is hard to say — but the numbers are striking.

Nick Scholfield's yard at Lambourn has had a productive season, sending out 19 winners, so the training operation is clearly functioning well. The tougher question is where Gabbys Cross fits into those ambitions now. Three attempts at Class 1 level — the very top tier of British racing — have produced nothing, which is not surprising given the overall record, but it does indicate the team has held the horse in reasonable regard. Whether that optimism is still warranted after a 45-month winless run is the question hanging over every future entry.