Royal Time

That sole win came at Naas in December 2024, and it remains the high point of a career that has otherwise been defined by consistency without quite reaching the top step. The frustrating part is that win was now 17 months ago, and Royal Time hasn't managed to repeat it in the six races since. Recent form reads 4th, pulled up, 7th, 3rd, 5th, and 11th — a mixed bag that suggests a horse capable of running into a place on its day but one that hasn't found a race quite clicking in its favour of late.

The partnership with amateur jockey Mr Eoin Staples is the most interesting angle here. In five races together, they've won once — a win rate of 20%, or roughly 1 in every 5 rides. That's a remarkable contrast to Royal Time's overall record and suggests something about the combination works. Whether it's Staples' style, the specific races they've targeted together, or simply good fortune, that number stands out sharply against the broader picture of 1 win from 18 overall.

Shane Crawley trains the horse, and his yard has sent out two winners this season — a modest total that reflects a small or developing operation rather than one of the big, well-resourced stables. Royal Time raced just yesterday, so it is very much in active training and being kept busy. For a horse of its age and record, that continued participation is worth noting — it's clearly fit and enthusiastic enough to keep competing, even if the breakthrough second win remains elusive for now.