Song Of Earth

What makes this an interesting case rather than simply a sad one is that Song Of Earth is still out there. Raced just yesterday, still competing at 11 years old, still being saddled up by Julian Smith from his yard in Tirley, Gloucestershire. Smith has sent out just one winner this season, so this is clearly a small, modest operation — and Song Of Earth is very much in keeping with that. The horse competes almost exclusively at Class 5, the lowest rung of the ladder in British racing, and has yet to win at that level in six attempts. Not a single win from six races at the grade where it is presumably easiest to find an opportunity.

Danny Mullins has been the regular partner, riding Song Of Earth in eight of its races and winning once together — that sole career victory at Fairyhouse. A win rate of around 1 in every 8 rides is not a bad number in isolation, but given that one win accounts for the horse's entire career record, it is really just a reminder of how long ago that day was. The pair have not found the winner's enclosure together since.

There is something quietly stubborn about a horse still racing at 11 with a record like this. It is not a big earner, not a festival horse, not one that has ever threatened to climb the ladder. But it keeps showing up, and someone keeps believing it has another good day somewhere in it. Whether that faith is well-placed is harder to say — but then, Fairyhouse in April 2022 probably seemed like a long shot too.