McGrath From Clune

The last six runs tell a more interesting story than the career record does. After a couple of blank results, McGrath From Clune has finished second twice, then won at Hereford in November 2025, and raced again just one day ago. For a horse who spent years finding ways not to win, that is a meaningful upturn in form. The Hereford win — his second career victory — came more than two years after his first, a win at Thurles back in November 2023. That gap tells you something: this is a horse who makes you wait, but hasn't entirely stopped trying.

He is trained by Tom Gretton, whose yard in Inkberrow, Worcestershire, has sent out 13 winners this season — a decent return for what is not one of the sport's bigger operations. Phillip Enright has been the regular rider, partnering McGrath From Clune in 14 of his races and winning once together, which works out at around 1 in every 14 — modest, but the pair clearly know each other well by now. At the level McGrath From Clune typically competes — some of the less prestigious races on the calendar — he has won 1 from 11 at that grade, or about 1 in every 9, which is actually slightly above his overall average. The step up in class has never really suited him; this is a horse who operates within his limits and occasionally thrives there.

With only two career wins and total prize money that reflects his level, McGrath From Clune will never be a horse people remember for the big occasions. What he represents instead is the kind of racehorse that keeps smaller yards ticking over — consistent enough to place, competitive in the right conditions, and apparently not done yet. Raced just yesterday and still in the mix at 10 years old, he is one of those horses that refuses to be quietly retired.