The overall win rate sits at roughly 1 in every 12 races, which is thin by any measure. But there is one relationship that looks more promising: when Michael Kenneally is in the saddle, Piccolo Player has won 1 from 5 together — a 20% rate, or one in every five rides. That is a meaningful step up, and it suggests the horse responds well to a jockey who clearly knows it.
Behind the scenes, John Patrick Ryan's yard in Templemore, County Tipperary, has been in solid form this season — 21 winners is a healthy tally and shows the operation knows how to get horses ready to win. Piccolo Player has not been the biggest contributor to that tally, but the fact that it raced just yesterday tells you the team still believes there is something worth chasing. Trainers do not keep running horses they have given up on.
Recent form reads 3-6-5-2-4-6, which is the kind of sequence that tells you a horse is competitive enough to finish second but frustrating enough to keep supporters guessing. A second place in there shows the talent exists — it just has not translated into a win since that Limerick breakthrough. Whether it does again will likely depend on conditions lining up and, ideally, Kenneally back in the plate.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limerick Galloping |
3 | 1 win, 2 other | 16 Apr | 33.3% |
| Ballinrobe Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 26 May | 0% |
| Killarney Sharp |
1 | 1 third | 17 Jul | 0% |
| Cork Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 2 Nov | 0% |
| Thurles Undulating |
1 | 1 third | 18 Jan | 0% |
| Gowran Park Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 7 Mar | 0% |
| Roscommon Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 8 Jun | 0% |
| Kilbeggan Tight |
1 | 1 second | 24 Apr | 0% |
| Fairyhouse Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 29 Nov | 0% |
| Naas Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 22 Feb | 0% |