Merrijig

His partnership with jockey Gina Mangan tells the real story. Together they have won 3 of 12 races—a 25% win rate that is substantially better than his overall numbers. That kind of rapport between horse and rider does not happen by accident; Mangan clearly understands how to get the best out of him. Trainer John Berry, based at Newmarket, has built a solid operation this season with 13 winners already, and Merrijig remains a consistent contributor to that tally.

Recent form has been a little up and down. His last six races show a win, then a sixth-place finish, then two thirds and a second, most recently a sixth just a day ago. That win came at Newcastle on 18 November 2025—nine months back—which suggests the horse may be finding things tougher in his later years, or simply needs the right conditions to land a blow. Here he does have a genuine edge: on normal ground, he wins roughly two races in every three. That is the kind of statistic that matters. When the track is firm and fast or wet and muddy, he is just another runner. But on standard ground, he genuinely excels.

At eight years old, Merrijig is entering the veteran phase of a racing career, and while his recent form is patchy, he remains active and clearly still capable of better days.