Saddadd

What makes the numbers particularly striking is where they have come from. Saddadd has won two Class 2 races — which sit near the very top of the racing ladder in Britain — at two of the country's most respected tracks. His win at Newbury in May 2025 came in a race with a strong tradition of producing serious horses, and his trainer Roger Varian floated the idea afterwards that a proper Pattern race could be the next logical step. Then came Sandown Park, where he won again at the same level. Competing at Class 2, he has won 2 of his 3 races there — a two-in-three record that is remarkable by any standard.

Varian, who trains out of Newmarket and has sent out 86 winners already this season alone, is clearly excited about what he has on his hands. He has spoken about Saddadd's temperament in almost affectionate terms — describing him as so relaxed that his five-year-old daughter could lead him to the start — and says the horse has the physical build of one who will continue to improve as he matures. That physical profile, combined with the fact that he is only four, means there is a genuine sense that his best racing may still be ahead of him.

The key ingredient, according to Varian, is a bit of cut in the ground — meaning he performs better when conditions are soft or slightly wet underfoot rather than on firm, dry ground. That is a useful trait heading into the autumn months. Varian has also spoken about a mile and a half as Saddadd's ideal distance, with races like the John Porter and Gordon Richards mentioned as potential targets. For a horse who has done nearly everything asked of him so far, those ambitions feel entirely reasonable.