Soldierofthestorm

The most recent victory came at Sandown Park just four weeks ago, and that matters. Sandown is a proper test of a horse — a tough track that catches plenty out — and winning there gives Soldierofthestorm's current form genuine credibility. Its first career win came back in May 2023 at Warwick, so this is a horse that has taken time to develop and is now racing with real confidence at eight years old.

Much of that confidence may be down to who's in the saddle. Jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr has ridden Soldierofthestorm in 10 of its 16 races and the two have combined for all 4 career wins — a win rate of 40% together, which is exceptional. To put that in context, winning 4 from 10 rides with the same jockey suggests this isn't coincidence. O'Neill Jr clearly understands how the horse likes to be ridden, and the partnership looks like one of the key ingredients in any good result.

The horse is trained by Jonjo O'Neill Sr and A J O'Neill at their yard near Cheltenham — one of racing's most recognisable training operations. With 52 winners sent out already this season, this is a stable in strong form, and Soldierofthestorm is racing for a team that clearly knows how to place a horse to its best advantage. The vast majority of its races have come at Class 4 level — the solid middle tier of British racing — where it has won 3 from 12 (25%, or roughly 1 in every 4 races at that level).

Still active and having raced just 25 days ago, Soldierofthestorm is a horse in the middle of its best run of form. At eight, it won't be getting younger, but right now it's winning races, racing regularly, and doing so with the jockey who seems to bring the best out of it. That's a combination worth watching.