Sommelier

On slow ground, Sommelier becomes a different horse. He has won two of his four races on wet or muddy surfaces—a 50 per cent win rate—suggesting he genuinely thrives when conditions are testing. Most horses have no such preference; Sommelier's affinity for the mud is a genuine edge, the kind of detail that matters when planning a campaign. His most recent win came at The Curragh on 3 June 2026, four months ago, which is a long drought by any measure. Since then, six consecutive races have brought nothing but place money: 16th, 4th, 19th, 15th, 15th, and 14th. The partnership between horse and jockey also stands out. With Marco Ghiani, Sommelier has won two of six races together—a 33 per cent win rate, far outstripping his career average. That kind of improvement suggests real understanding between rider and horse, the sort of rapport that cannot be manufactured.

Kieran P Cotter's yard at Portarlington sends Sommelier to race most often at the top level, Class 2 company, where the horse has never won in seven attempts. This may be honest assessment—that Sommelier is a horse for easier races—or it may be miscasting. Either way, it represents a gap in his record that explains why, despite genuine qualities, he remains a moderate performer. He raced just a day ago and is still active, so the yard clearly believes he has more to give. Whether a return to wet ground with Ghiani in the saddle might unlock another win remains to be seen.