Patriotik

The highlight of his career came on 1 March 2025, when he won a Class 2 race at Doncaster — one of the top levels of competition in Britain. That is no small thing. Jockey Isabel Williams, who has ridden him in 16 of his 18 races, noted afterwards that he "enjoyed the drying ground" and that the team had been desperate to get him back to three miles after he unseated at Haydock. On fast, dry ground over a longer trip, he was clearly a different horse. The problem is that version of Patriotik has not shown up since.

His last six runs have produced finishes of 12th, 6th, 10th, 6th, 5th, and a blank — and it is now well over a year since that Doncaster win. Trainer Mrs C Williams, based at Llancarfan in the Vale of Glamorgan, is candid about it: she describes his recent season as disappointing given how well he ran on two occasions in March 2024, and admits there is nothing obvious to explain it. The yard is considering headgear — a visor or cheekpieces — to try to sharpen his focus. He had hoped to move him to chasing by now but is keeping him over hurdles until he rediscovers his form. When he does, he believes jumping fences is where his future lies; he is, by his account, a very good jumper who simply does not want to be racing on wet or muddy ground.

He raced just yesterday, so he is clearly being kept busy. The team has sent out 3 winners this season, and the belief in Patriotik has not disappeared — just the results. A horse who can win a Class 2 at Doncaster is worth persevering with. The question is whether the right conditions and a change of routine can bring that version of him back.