Saddlers Quest

The most interesting thing about Saddlers Quest is its clear affinity for Newton Abbot, where it has won twice from six races (33% win rate at that course). By comparison, across all other tracks it has won only once from fourteen races, which makes Newton Abbot feel like its spiritual home. The last of those Newton Abbot wins came on 11 September 2023 — over three years ago — so the horse hasn't found the winner's enclosure in quite some time. Still, there is a pattern worth noting: Saddlers Quest runs best over the longer distances, winning one from four races at 1m6f to 2m, suggesting the horse prefers being stretched out rather than hurried along. That middle distance is where trainer Debra Hamer and jockey Ben Jones might look to engineer a breakthrough after such a long drought.

The form over the last six races tells a story of a horse running but not threatening: third, fifth, fourth, fourth, eighth, then out of the placings. It is not the record of a horse about to win tomorrow, but neither is it one that has completely lost its way. Saddlers Quest typically races in Class 5 company — the lower tiers of the sport — where it has converted three wins from sixteen races at roughly the level it belongs. At 12 years old and with Hamer's small yard (only 3 winners this season) providing the foundation, another return to the winner's circle will require a bit of luck and a course that suits. Newton Abbot remains the most obvious place to look for it.