Kilgharrahs Love

What stands out almost as much as the record itself is the partnership with jockey Rory Cleary, who has been on board for nine of those fourteen races without a win to show for it. That's a significant chunk of time and effort invested in a combination that hasn't clicked yet. Loyalty in racing is a real thing — trainers and jockeys stick together when they believe something is around the corner — but nine races together with nothing to show for it does test that patience.

Thomas Cleary trains the horse out of Athlone in Co Westmeath, a yard that has managed three winners this season, so the operation is clearly capable of getting horses to the track in winning form. The question is whether Kilgharrahs Love can tap into that. The horse raced just yesterday, which means it's firmly in the middle of a busy campaign, and the yard — the trainer and team — clearly haven't given up on finding the right opportunity. Whether that opportunity is coming soon is another matter entirely. At this point, a first win would be a significant moment for everyone involved.