Heraldry

The career has unfolded quickly and neatly. Heraldry broke its duck at Kempton Park back in April, then finished fifth in its next outing — the one blemish on an otherwise polished profile — before bouncing back with a runner-up spot and then a second win, this one at Newmarket just this week. That most recent victory came only a day ago, which means Heraldry is as current as it gets: a horse in form, racing with confidence, and doing it at one of Britain's most prestigious venues.

The Newmarket win matters beyond just adding another tick to the record. Newmarket is not only one of the sport's most famous tracks, it also happens to be the home of Heraldry's trainers, John and Thady Gosden — one of the most respected yards in the country. Winning on your home course, in front of the people who know you best, is a little like acing an exam in the classroom where you've been studying all year. The Gosden operation has sent out 140 winners already this season, which tells you something about the quality of the setup behind this horse. This is a yard that knows how to get a horse to the line first.

At just three years old, Heraldry is at the age where things start getting serious. The best horses at this stage begin to show whether they're built for the big occasions or whether they'll quietly settle into easier company. With half its races ending in victory and only one result outside the top two, the early signs are that Heraldry is very much in the former category.