Pride Of Arras

What makes this horse genuinely special is his dominance at the top level. In Class 1 races—the crown jewels of British racing—he has won 2 of his 3 attempts, a 67 percent win rate that speaks to a horse who belongs in elite company. York is his fortress: he has won twice in three races there, most recently in August when he delivered what his trainer Ralph Beckett described as possibly his best performance yet. That victory came just over a month after Beckett gelded him, suggesting the operation has unlocked something significant.

Beckett, based at Kimpton in Hampshire and a yard that has sent out 107 winners this season alone, clearly has him targeted at top-tier prizes. The trainer had entered him in the Coronation Cup and was planning a tilt at the Aston Park at Newbury before potentially stepping him up further. Beckett noted that Pride Of Arras won the Dante and Great Voltigeur last year—telling you he was a serious prospect even then—and that York's sharp turns and fast surface suit him perfectly.

The partnership with jockey Rossa Ryan has been particularly fruitful. Together they have won 3 of their 5 races, a 60 percent win rate that suggests a genuine understanding. Not every jockey gets the best out of every horse, but Ryan has clearly found the key with this one. Pride Of Arras came to prominence with his debut win at Sandown Park in August 2024, and he has been climbing ever since. He is a horse who turns up when it matters and delivers at the highest level—exactly what you want from a four-year-old at this stage of his career.