Sovereign Ocean

What followed next was a reminder that not every race goes to plan. Sent to York for the Acomb Stakes — one of the more prestigious races for young horses in Britain — Sovereign Ocean finished sixth. But that run wasn't really about winning; Botti has said openly that the yard had received a purchase offer after the Musselburgh win and wanted to prove the horse belonged at a higher level before deciding whether to sell. That's the business side of racing, and it's more common than most people realise.

The horse answered those questions himself on Boxing Day at Wolverhampton, winning again and doing it "nicely," in Botti's words — meaning comfortably, without being asked a serious question. The trainer noted afterwards that Sovereign Ocean will get a mile "no problem on breeding," which is an encouraging sign that there's more to come as he steps up in distance. Two wins from three races — a record that works out to roughly 2 in every 3 races — is a sharp return for a young horse still finding his feet.

Now a three-year-old returning from a break of around five months, Sovereign Ocean steps back onto the track with genuine interest surrounding him. Botti's yard has sent out 45 winners already this season, so the operation is in good form. The trainer has hinted at entries in the spring, and the owner Fabio Manservigi — new to the yard — will be hoping the horse that arrived as a cheap purchase turns into something considerably more valuable. On what he has shown so far, that is not an unreasonable hope.