Red Derek

That one win came at Doncaster in October 2022, and it remains the only time Red Derek has reached the winner's enclosure in his career. The fact that it was also his last win — now 44 months ago — puts his recent form in context. In his last six races he has posted finishes of 3rd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 4th and 4th. Respectable enough on paper, but no closer to adding to that solitary Doncaster success.

His best results tend to come over a mile and three to a mile and four furlongs, where he has won 1 from 12 races — around 1 in every 12 at those trips, which is actually a better ratio than his overall record. That suggests the distance suits him, even if winning at those trips still hasn't come easily. He races most often at Class 5, the lower end of the scale, and has won 1 from 17 at that level — roughly 1 in every 17 races.

Kieran O'Neill rides him most regularly, and their partnership of 1 win from 8 races together works out to winning about 1 in every 8 — which, while not spectacular, is comfortably better than Red Derek's overall average. He is trained by Lisa Williamson at her yard in Kelsall, Cheshire, a yard that has sent out 6 winners this season. Red Derek raced just yesterday, so he is very much still active and still competing. Whether another Doncaster moment is coming is another question entirely.