She's A Gift

She raced just yesterday, which at least shows the team are keeping her busy and believing something can be unlocked. She is trained by John C McConnell at his yard in Stamullen, County Meath — an operation that has sent out 38 winners already this season, so it is clearly a place that knows how to get horses winning. The fact that She's A Gift has not broken through yet is unlikely to be down to a lack of care or expertise. Sometimes horses simply take longer to find their moment, and occasionally they never quite do.

At four years old, she is not ancient — there is still time. But 16 races without a win is a significant statistic, and the recent form suggests she is not currently moving in the right direction. For anyone following her, the hope is that a change of conditions or a drop in the level of competition might be the thing that finally turns her fortunes around. For now, she remains one of racing's more stubborn puzzles.