Juan Bermudez

The broader career numbers back up the idea that this is a horse who genuinely knows what he is doing. Six wins and 12 places from 29 races, a win rate of around 21% — roughly 1 in every 5 races — puts him well above average for his level. His recent form reads 1-2-2-5-6-14, which tells an interesting story: after a dip in form, he has come sharply back to his best over the last three runs, finishing first or second in each of them. At seven years old, he is an experienced, mature competitor who has clearly not lost his appetite for racing.

The standout moment in his career came on 20 October 2021, when he won a top-level Class 2 race at Newmarket — one of the most prestigious venues in British racing. That was, remarkably, his very first career win. Breaking your duck at one of the top races in the country, at Newmarket of all places, is the sort of debut victory most horses never come close to matching. He has settled into a lower grade since then, typically running in Class 4 company, where he has won 2 from 15 races — a modest 13% — suggesting the Newmarket win remains the high-water mark of his ability on the biggest stage.

He is trained by Henry Oliver, whose yard in Abberley, Worcestershire has sent out 7 winners already this season — a solid, productive operation. Regular rider Lilly Pinchin has partnered Juan Bermudez in 6 races without a win between them, though that record needs context: the victories at Stratford have clearly come with someone else in the saddle. What matters most right now is that Juan Bermudez is in form, racing regularly, and doing what he does best — making Stratford-on-Avon feel like home.