Leadman

The horse came to Michael Appleby's yard in Rutland from Andrew Balding's operation as an unraced prospect, but he has since managed a win at Newmarket in July 2025. Appleby trains a prolific yard—71 winners sent out this season—and Leadman's record suggests a horse that works best on fast, dry ground, where he has won 2 of his 11 races. That 18 per cent win rate on those conditions is substantially better than his overall record and hints at a horse that may have been competing on unsuitable surfaces more often than not. At Class 3 level, he has won 1 from 7 races, which is respectable if still modest.

One minor puzzle is his pairing with regular rider Daniel Tudhope, who has yet to find the winner's circle aboard him across seven rides together. The yard notes that Leadman possesses genuine ability but may carry a softer temperament than some. It is a telling observation: a horse with talent but a disposition that needs careful handling can easily disappoint on the track if not given the right conditions and the right race. For now, though, his recent sequence suggests he is beginning to work out where he belongs.