Missouri Waltz

The standout moment came at Catterick Bridge on 22 July, when Missouri Waltz broke through for its first win. That success is now eight weeks old, and the horse has run twice since without winning—finishing fifth most recently, then second, then first in the race before that. It is the kind of up-and-down form you often see in young horses, especially early in their careers. Adrian Keatley, who trains the horse at Ryedale in North Yorkshire, clearly believes there is more to come; his yard has already sent out 43 winners this season, which suggests he has a knack for spotting ability and developing it.

The real test for Missouri Waltz will be whether it can string together some consistency. One win from three races is a decent start—roughly one in every three outings—but the recent wobble matters less than the fact that the horse keeps racing and improving. At two years old, it has years ahead of it, and that early win at Catterick suggests it has the ability to get back to the winner's circle.