General Clermont

His partnership with jockey Gavin Brouder is the most interesting thread in his story. Together they have won 3 from 20 races — that is 15%, or roughly 1 in every 7, which is a meaningfully better return than his overall career average. Whatever Brouder does differently, General Clermont responds to it. The first win came at Killarney in August 2023, and the most recent at Wexford in August 2024 — but that was 23 months ago now, and the last 6 races have brought a nine, a pulled-up or non-finish, a fourth, a sixth, a second, and another ninth. The second place in that sequence shows the ability is still flickering. The rest of it suggests the wins are not coming easily.

Trainer D E Fitzgerald has sent out just one winner this season, which means the yard is operating quietly at the moment rather than in a rich vein of form. General Clermont, with his long gaps between wins and his habit of finishing in the places without converting, fits that picture of a yard grinding away rather than firing on all cylinders. None of that is a criticism — it is just the reality of what the numbers say.

What makes General Clermont worth watching, if you are inclined to follow him, is the sheer stubbornness of his career. Forty-two races at the age of 10, still racing yesterday, still placing when the stars align — there is something quietly admirable about a horse who just keeps turning up. He may not win again. But then again, he has surprised people before, and not long ago at that.