Matt Connor
Matt Connor is a workaday handicapper who has found his groove over the middle distances and occasionally shows enough to remind his yard why he keeps running. The six-year-old has won five times from 27 races — a win rate of roughly one win in every five outings — which is honest rather than exceptional, but his form over a mile and three furlongs to a mile and four furlongs tells a different story. At that distance, he wins half his races: two victories from four attempts. It is a narrow window, but within it, he is genuinely effective.Based on TrackLab's analysis
📊 Key numbers
Career totals for this horse
🔍 Full analysis
Our model's view, based on this horse's career and recent runs
His last win came at Gowran Park six months ago in April, and his recent form has been mixed. In his last six races he has finished seventh, ninth, fifth, fourth, twelfth, and won — so there is inconsistency, but the win suggests he has not lost his ability. Jockey W J Lee gets the best from him; they have combined for two wins from five races together, a 40 per cent win rate that stands out against Matt Connor's overall record. That kind of partnership often signals a rider who understands a horse's temperament and knows when to make a move.
Trained by J P Dempsey at Carbury in County Kildare, Matt Connor races in a yard that has sent out 16 winners this season. He was racing as recently as a day ago, which means the yard are keeping him active and clearly see potential in him yet. Whether that proves justified will depend on the distances and tracks they choose — stick him in the middle distances at the right course, and he will run for his money.
⚡ Strengths and risks
What helps this horse and what to watch out for
✓ What works in their favour
✔ Well suited by 1m1f – 1m2f distances: 33% win rate
✔ Well suited by 1m3f – 1m4f distances: 50% win rate
✔ Effective partnership with W J Lee: 40% win rate together
⚠ What to watch out for
⚠ Poor record on standard ground: 0 wins from 5 starts
⚠ Yet to win at Dundalk in 5 attempts
🎯 Where this horse runs best
Results split by ground, distance, race level and track shape
🌧 Ground
Yielding (slightly soft)
Likes
Good to yielding (mild give)
Ok
Standard (all-weather)
Avoids
🏟 Track shape
Right-handed, long straights
Loves
Left-handed, long straights
Ok
Right-handed, hilly
Unknown
Left-handed, tight turns
Unknown
Right-handed, tight
Avoids
Right-handed, tight turns
Avoids
📅 Recent runs
The last 10 races, most recent first
12 Oct
7th
Roscommon
1m6f – 2m · Soft · 18 runners
26 Sep
9th
Listowel
Long Distance (2m+) · Good_To_Yielding · 17 runners
1 Aug
5th
Galway
Long Distance (2m+) · Good_To_Yielding · 22 runners
7 Jul
4th
Tramore
Long Distance (2m+) · Good · 11 runners
28 Apr
12th
Punchestown
Long Distance (2m+) · Yielding · 27 runners
8 Apr
🏆 Won
Gowran Park
1m1f – 1m2f · Soft · 14 runners
25 Jan
🏆 Won
Naas
Long Distance (2m+) · Heavy · 13 runners
27 Dec
4th
Leopardstown
Long Distance (2m+) · Yielding · 17 runners
18 Oct
🏆 Won
Limerick
Long Distance (2m+) · Yielding · 11 runners
3 Oct
5th
Gowran Park
Long Distance (2m+) · Soft · 18 runners
🏇 Jockeys
Every jockey who has ridden this horse, most rides first
🏟 Course record
Win rate at each course this horse has visited
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|
| Dundalk Galloping |
5 |
1 third, 4 other |
20 Dec |
0% |
| Naas Galloping |
2 |
1 win, 1 other |
25 Jan |
50% |
| Gowran Park Undulating |
2 |
1 win, 1 other |
8 Apr |
50% |
| Navan Galloping |
2 |
2 other |
20 Sep |
0% |
| Punchestown Galloping |
2 |
2 other |
28 Apr |
0% |
| Galway Tight |
2 |
2 other |
1 Aug |
0% |
| The Curragh Galloping |
2 |
2 other |
27 Jun |
0% |
| Roscommon Sharp |
2 |
2 other |
12 Oct |
0% |
| Cork Galloping |
1 |
1 win |
21 Apr |
100% |
| Limerick Galloping |
1 |
1 win |
18 Oct |
100% |
| Fairyhouse Galloping |
1 |
1 win |
1 Jun |
100% |
| Down Royal Galloping |
1 |
1 other |
24 Jun |
0% |
| Leopardstown Galloping |
1 |
1 other |
27 Dec |
0% |
| Tramore Sharp |
1 |
1 other |
7 Jul |
0% |
| Kilbeggan Tight |
1 |
1 other |
22 Aug |
0% |
| Listowel Sharp |
1 |
1 other |
26 Sep |
0% |