Percy Shelley

Those two wins came in quick succession last autumn — first at Uttoxeter in September 2025, then at Ludlow in October. The fact that both victories came over long distances, two miles or more, is not a coincidence. Over that kind of trip Percy Shelley has won 2 of its 8 races, which works out at 25% — one win in every four. That is a genuinely strong record, and it tells you the horse needs time and space to get into a race, building momentum rather than relying on a sudden burst of speed. Shorten the distance, and the numbers fall away sharply.

The yard behind Percy Shelley is James Owen's operation in Newmarket, Suffolk — one of the sport's historic racing towns — and it has been a productive season there, with 210 winners sent out. That is a high-volume, confident yard, and they clearly know what brings the best out of this horse. Interestingly, Percy Shelley's most regular partner in the saddle, jockey Daniel Tudhope, has yet to get a win from his five rides together — 0 from 5. That is a quirk worth watching, given how well the horse has been running lately.

What adds a layer of intrigue to any upcoming appearance is the gap since last racing — roughly four months, making this a return from a meaningful break. Horses coming back from that kind of absence can be rusty, or they can come back refreshed and sharper than ever. Given that Percy Shelley's last two outings both ended in victory, and that the horse clearly operates best over a long distance on the right day, it would be unwise to dismiss it. This is a horse that has quietly figured something out, and the racing record is starting to reflect that.