That breakthrough finally came at Punchestown on 13 May 2026, just two weeks ago, and the timing matters. This is a horse that had been knocking around for years without a win to its name, and when it finally got one, it came at one of Ireland's most celebrated venues. It won't have felt like a small moment in the yard of trainer David Kenneth Budds, based at Reinduff in Co Waterford — a operation that has sent out just 2 winners this entire season, making that Punchestown result a genuinely significant day for the team.
The recent form is interesting too. Reading from most recent backwards: a third place just yesterday, a win, and another third a couple of runs before that. After two blanks in the middle, that's a horse showing up and competing at the right end of the field more often than not right now. Oogum Boogum is clearly in decent shape at the moment, which is about as good as it gets for a horse with this kind of career record.
Regular rider Mr E T Mellerick has been in the saddle for 7 of those 23 races without managing to find the winner's spot together, so it's worth noting that when the win finally arrived, it came without that combination clicking. Still, Oogum Boogum is out there, racing hard, and placed just yesterday — at eight years old, still very much a part of the story.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tramore Sharp |
6 | 1 third, 5 other | 20 Apr | 0% |
| Punchestown Galloping |
4 | 1 win, 3 other | 13 May | 25% |
| Wexford Sharp |
4 | 2 thirds, 2 other | 27 May | 0% |
| Listowel Sharp |
2 | 2 other | 27 Sep | 0% |
| Fairyhouse Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 12 Nov | 0% |
| Clonmel Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 9 Nov | 0% |
| Downpatrick Undulating |
1 | 1 third | 10 Oct | 0% |
| Kilbeggan Tight |
1 | 1 other | 4 Sep | 0% |
| Galway Tight |
1 | 1 second | 8 Sep | 0% |
| Limerick Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 19 Oct | 0% |