The partnership with jockey Darragh O'Keeffe is worth highlighting. In 16 races together, O'Keeffe has steered him to all 5 of his career wins — that is a win rate of 31%, or nearly 1 in every 3 rides. That is a meaningful number. It suggests the two have developed a real understanding, and whenever you see O'Keeffe booked for this horse, it is worth paying attention.
Solitary Man also shows a clear preference for normal ground conditions, winning 2 of his 5 races on a standard surface — a 40% win rate that stands out sharply against his overall figures. Wet or firm ground appears to blunt his effectiveness considerably.
The less flattering side of the picture is that he has not won in his last 6 races, with his most recent outing 16 days ago producing a ninth-place finish. At 8 years old, he is not a young horse still finding his feet — he is what he is, and right now he is in a quiet spell. Trainer E Bolger's yard in Bruree, County Limerick, has been in fine form this season with 13 winners, so the support around him is strong. But for Solitary Man himself, the obvious question is whether another trip to Killarney in summer conditions might be the thing to unlock him again. Given everything his record says about that venue, it would be foolish to write him off entirely.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Killarney Sharp |
8 | 4 wins, 1 second, 1 third, 2 other | 23 Aug | 50% |
| Cork Galloping |
4 | 1 win, 2 seconds, 1 other | 10 Dec | 25% |
| Punchestown Galloping |
3 | 1 second, 2 other | 7 Jun | 0% |
| Thurles Undulating |
2 | 2 other | 18 Jan | 0% |
| Clonmel Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 11 May | 0% |
| Roscommon Sharp |
1 | 1 second | 26 Sep | 0% |
| Ballinrobe Sharp |
1 | 1 second | 30 May | 0% |
| Cheltenham Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 13 Mar | 0% |
| Listowel Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 25 Sep | 0% |