The most recent of those wins came just this week, on 9 June 2026, and it follows a first career victory at the same track back in May 2025. So both of Ilbdare's career wins have come at Sligo, and both have come within the last thirteen months. This is a horse that has figured something out, and the team at Mark Michael McNiff's yard in Strandhill — literally a few miles from the racecourse — will be well aware of it. McNiff's operation has sent out five winners this season, so there's form in the yard, and Ilbdare is clearly contributing to that momentum.
Jockey Phillip Enright has been in the saddle for 10 of Ilbdare's 15 races, winning once together for a win rate of 1 in 10. That's not a spectacular partnership on paper, but context matters — Enright has been there through the learning curve, and he was aboard for the winning return this week. The recent form figures of 1-13-9-2-8-7 show a horse that blows hot and cold, but that second place in the mix hints at ability on its day.
One other detail worth noting: on normal ground conditions, Ilbdare wins 1 in every 3 races — exactly the same ratio as at Sligo. Given that those two wins are the same two races, the message is consistent. Get this horse to Sligo on decent ground, and you have a genuine contender. Take it elsewhere, and you're working against the odds.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sligo Sharp |
6 | 2 wins, 1 second, 1 third, 2 other | 9 Jun | 33.3% |
| Listowel Sharp |
2 | 2 other | 28 Sep | 0% |
| Tramore Sharp |
2 | 1 third, 1 other | 1 Jan | 0% |
| Galway Tight |
2 | 2 other | 7 Oct | 0% |
| Kilbeggan Tight |
1 | 1 other | 17 May | 0% |
| Downpatrick Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 30 Mar | 0% |
| Punchestown Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 24 Feb | 0% |