Military Code

The two wins tell an interesting story about progression. The first came at Newmarket on 17 April 2025, which is as good a place as any to announce yourself — it's a fast, flat track that rewards horses with real ability rather than those who simply get lucky. Then, less than a month later, Military Code stepped up to Ascot and won again. Ascot is one of the most prestigious venues in British racing, and winning there as a two-year-old is not something ordinary horses do. Back-to-back wins at two of the sport's most famous addresses suggested this was a horse with a real future.

What complicates the picture is what surrounds those wins. Military Code has raced four times at the very highest level — Class 1, meaning the elite tier of British racing — and has yet to win one of those. That's not necessarily a scandal; the best races attract the best horses, and finishing placed at that level still means beating a lot of very good animals. The recent form figure of 7th, sandwiched between two placings, suggests the horse is competitive without quite dominating. Whether it can take that step up remains the central question.

William Buick, one of the most respected jockeys in the sport, has been in the saddle for all six races and has shared both victories. That continuity matters — a jockey who knows a horse well is better placed to get the best from it on the day. The partnership has won 2 of their 6 races together, and with Appleby's record behind them, there's every reason to think the best is still ahead.

The other significant detail is the gap. Military Code last raced 218 days ago — roughly seven months — so this return will be watched closely. A horse coming back after that kind of break needs to show it has retained what made those early wins so eye-catching.