Havana Blue

His most interesting quirk is what happens when he goes to Newmarket. On that wide, unforgiving track — where horses have nowhere to hide and raw ability tends to find them out — Havana Blue has won twice from seven visits. That is nearly 1 in every 3 races there, a figure that stands well above his overall record and is the sort of thing a sharp observer notices. His first career win came at Newmarket in May 2023, and when jockey John Fahy rode him to another win there, he made no secret of it: "I've always liked Havana Blue," he said, noting that firm, faster ground brings the best out of him. Heavy or muddy conditions are a different matter — a run at Goodwood on wet ground clearly did not suit him, and the team have learned to pick their spots accordingly.

Julie Camacho is no small operation. Her yard has sent out 46 winners already this season, which marks her out as a trainer who knows how to have horses ready to perform. Her comments from a stable tour last summer were telling: she described Havana Blue as a horse she genuinely likes, one she felt would be well-suited to a stiff seven-furlong test at Ascot, particularly on fast, dry ground. That kind of confidence from a trainer in a horse's specific requirements suggests they know him well.

His regular pilot is Ryan Sexton, who has ridden him in 10 of his 25 races and won once together — a 10% win rate, matching the overall picture. His last win came at Beverley in August 2024, now 22 months ago, and his most recent six runs have brought placings of fifth, sixth, fourth, fifth, and then a couple of tougher days. He raced just yesterday, so he is firmly in active campaign. The form is ticking along without catching fire — but at Newmarket, in the right conditions, Havana Blue has a habit of reminding people he can still be dangerous.