Quai De Bourbon

The relationship with jockey Paul Townend is striking. Together they've won 4 of their 8 races — that's exactly half, a 50% win rate that suggests the pair have a real understanding. Townend has been candid about what makes this horse tick. After one run, he noted that Quai De Bourbon lacked focus early on but jumped brilliantly once he was given a slap and allowed to travel into the race. The implication is that the horse needs a bit of a conversation — it's a thinker, and Townend seems to know how to have that conversation.

Both Townend and the horse's record point in the same direction: stamina is the key. Townend has twice called him a "staying type," and his best form has come when races have turned into proper tests of endurance, particularly on wet or muddy ground. His most recent victory came at Gowran Park in January 2025, but that's now 15 months ago, and his last six runs have produced two third-place finishes and nothing more.

The most recent outing, at Navan, was described by Mullins as deeply disappointing — the horse appeared to tire badly and came home well beaten. That's a setback, but Mullins wasn't dismissive. He spoke about finding the right race for the horse later in the season, specifically one that suits a confirmed stayer. The suggestion was of patience rather than panic.

The picture, then, is of a horse with real ability that hasn't quite recaptured its best. Its career record suggests it can win when conditions and opportunity align — and with Mullins in charge and Townend in the saddle, it's unlikely to be short of either for long.