Love Is Golden

Over long distances — two miles or more — Love Is Golden is a different horse entirely. He has won 2 of just 5 races at those trips, a remarkable 40% win rate. For context, that means he wins 2 in every 5 times he is asked to stay the distance, which is exceptional. Horses often have a distance that simply suits their engine, and for Love Is Golden, stamina is clearly his friend. The problem is that he has spent most of his career lining up in Class 2 races — among the top tier of British racing — and at that level, he has drawn a blank across all 9 attempts. The horse can win; he just needs the right conditions and the right company.

His most recent win came at Newbury in March 2023, now 40 months ago, which tells you something about how difficult that breakthrough has become. Before that, his first career win arrived at Haydock Park in September 2022, so both of his course victories came within a relatively short window. Since then, he has been knocking on the door without quite getting through it — his recent run of form reads a win and a third in his last six outings, suggesting he is not entirely out of ideas.

Paddy Butler trains him from a small yard in East Chiltington in East Sussex, a setup that has sent out 4 winners this season — a respectable return for a stable of that size. Franny Norton has been the regular jockey, partnering Love Is Golden 7 times without a win between them, though that may say more about the level of race they have tackled together than any lack of ability. Love Is Golden raced just yesterday, which means he is firmly in the mix and his the yard are clearly keeping him busy. The question is whether they can find him the right long-distance opportunity at a softer level to let that 40% stamina record do the talking.