Spirit of Athene

The horse broke through at Lingfield Park just before Christmas 2025, and has built steadily since. Most impressively, it won at Goodwood just this week, showing that Ed Walker's training at Upper Lambourn has found the right formula. Walker, who has already sent out 76 winners this season, clearly has the measure of this one. The recent form tells the story: wins, wins, a second place, another win, a fifth, and then straight back to the winner's circle. That's not the pattern of a horse dependent on perfect conditions or a particular race shape — it's the mark of something that knows how to win.

At three years old, Spirit of Athene is still learning, still improving, and the trajectory is upward. Two places from six recent races, combined with four victories, points to a horse that runs well consistently and converts regularly when it matters. For a yard as prolific as Walker's, this one stands out as a horse worth watching.