Sergei Diaghilev

Trained by Aidan O'Brien at Cashel in County Tipperary, Sergei Diaghilev broke its duck at The Curragh on 23 May, and has since added a second victory at Gowran Park in early August. The wins are separated by three other outings — a second place, another second, and a ninth — which tells a useful story. This is not a horse that wins every time it goes to the track, but it is clearly a horse that knows how to finish in the frame. Four top-three finishes from five races is the mark of something with real racing sense and competitive edge.

What stands out most is the sharpness of the recent form. In its last five races, the horse has finished 2-2-1-9-1 — two wins bookending a couple of placed efforts and one poor run. That ninth place came in the middle of a streak that has otherwise seen it win or finish close, which suggests a blip rather than a loss of form. With a race just a day ago and the horse still actively campaigning, Sergei Diaghilev is clearly sound and in regular action. At two years old, and with an O'Brien yard that has already sent out 125 winners this season, this is a horse with every chance to develop into something genuinely useful as it matures and gains experience.