Prince of Pillo

His best days came in the summer of 2022. He broke through at Ayr on 11 July that year, then won again at Ripon in August in a Class 2 race—one of the top races in Britain. Even more impressive, he then stepped up and won a Class 1 race back at Ayr in September. For a few weeks, he looked like he might be something special. But since his last victory at Southwell on 27 April 2025, nearly 18 months have passed without a winner's enclosure visit. That is a long drought.

Ayr has been his best hunting ground, with 2 wins from just 4 races there—a 50% win rate that makes it his true course specialist. He also thrives on normal ground conditions, where he has won 2 of 6 races. The partnership with jockey Callum Rodriguez has been the most productive of his career: they have won together 3 times from 5 races, a 60% win rate that suggests real understanding. Trained by Richard and Peter Fahey at Musley Bank in North Yorkshire, Prince of Pillo competes in a yard that has found its rhythm this season with 23 winners. His record in Class 2 races is more modest—1 win from 8—which hints that while he can compete at a high level, he needs conditions to fall his way. At 6 years old and riding a long losing streak, he is a horse who was talented enough to win top races but has since found the grade tougher than expected.