Royal Sapphire

That said, the surroundings are about as good as it gets in this sport. Royal Sapphire is trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien at Owning Hill in County Kilkenny, one of the most respected yards in Ireland. O'Brien's operation has sent out 160 winners already this season — that is a remarkable output that speaks to a yard operating at the very top of its game. When a stable is firing in winners at that rate, you can be fairly sure that a horse sitting winless after eight races simply hasn't found its moment yet, rather than being overlooked or mishandled.

Royal Sapphire raced just one day ago, so this is very much a horse in active campaign. At three years old, there is still time for things to click. Not every horse develops on the same schedule, and sometimes a change of distance, a different track, or simply a little more experience is all it takes. The talent around it at Owning Hill suggests it will keep getting opportunities. Whether Royal Sapphire can take one remains the question.