Hallelujah U

At four years old, this horse has built a modest but respectable record on the Flat: 2 wins and 4 places from 11 races, which works out to winning roughly 1 in every 5 or 6 races. The numbers are solid without being spectacular. The most recent win came at Thirsk in May 2025, and before that a first career win at Southwell back in November 2024. Step up to the highest level, though, and it has been a different story — three attempts at Class 1 races, which are among the best races in Britain, have brought no wins. That is not unusual; plenty of good horses find that level one step too far.

But here is where the story gets interesting. Owen's team has gelded this horse, given it a proper break, and has been schooling it over hurdles — the obstacles used in jump racing. Owen was candid about the change of direction in a recent stable tour: the horse is not bred for jumping, but it clearly enjoys it, and it brings something significant to the table. Among the horses switching from Flat racing to juvenile hurdling this season, Hallelujah U carries the highest rating — meaning the handicapper considers it the best of the bunch making that crossover. That is a meaningful advantage going into a new discipline.

Owen is not being shy about ambitions either. If the debut over hurdles goes well, the Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham's November meeting is the next target, with the Triumph Hurdle itself at the Cheltenham Festival in March the bigger prize on the horizon. That is one of jump racing's most celebrated occasions, and getting a horse there is a genuine achievement. The yard has sent out 205 winners this season, so there is no shortage of form or confidence behind this project.

Hallelujah U raced just one day ago, which means everything is moving quickly. A horse reinventing itself mid-career, trained by one of the country's most productive yards, targeting Cheltenham — there are far less interesting stories to follow this season.