Magnor Glory

The most striking thing in the record is what happens at Ballinrobe. Two wins from just three races at that track is the kind of ratio that makes trainers pencil a course name into the diary every season. Something about Ballinrobe — whether it is the layout, the ground, or simply the way the races tend to pan out — clearly suits this horse. The first win there came in April 2022, and the most recent in May 2024. That last Ballinrobe victory was 25 months ago now, which means a return trip there has to be high on the wish list.

The current form run of six races without a win will not alarm anyone who knows Magnor Glory's record. The recent figures — a third, a fourth, a third, and a fifth among the last six — show a horse still placing, still competing, not falling apart. Racehorses at ten can start to fade at this stage of their careers, but there is nothing in those finishing positions to suggest Magnor Glory has stopped trying. It raced just one day ago, so this is very much an active campaign.

John Shinnick has the riding relationship with this horse, partnering it in five of its races for one win together — again that 1-in-5 ratio holding firm. Meanwhile, trainer Terence O'Brien's yard in Carrigtoohill, Co. Cork, has sent out 10 winners already this season, which suggests a yard in decent form and confidence running through the operation. For a ten-year-old with a clear course preference and a trainer hitting winners, the question is simple: when does Magnor Glory get another crack at Ballinrobe?