Papa Don't Preach

His last victory came at Wolverhampton on 22 December 2025, and that is now eight months in the past. Since then, he has run six times without winning — a drought that will frustrate the yard. His most recent outing, just a day ago, resulted in sixth place, which suggests he is still racing but currently without momentum. The pattern of his recent form — 6-2-3-9-3-5 — shows glimpses of form (that second-place finish and two thirds) punctuating longer spells without the fortune needed to win.

Wolverhampton has been his happiest hunting ground. He has won there twice, and Wolverhampton's fast, dry surface seems to suit him: on normal ground conditions, he has managed 3 wins from 28 races, a win rate of roughly 1 in 9. For comparison, on all other ground types combined, his tally is just 1 win from 28 races. This suggests that when the track favours fast racing and the conditions are standard, he is a different horse — more effective, more dangerous to others in his grade.

The yard — Kevin and Lauren Frost's operation at Averham Park in Nottinghamshire — has been modest in its returns this season with just 3 winners overall. Jockey Alec Voikhansky, who has ridden Papa Don't Preach eight times, has managed just 1 victory in the saddle on him. It is the kind of partnership that works occasionally but has not cracked the code. This is a horse at Class 6 level, typically the lower rungs of competitive racing, and he has won 2 of his 29 races there. He remains active, still racing, still looking for another day. Whether that day comes before the season turns may depend on whether Wolverhampton and fast ground come his way again.