The real story, though, is where Spy shows genuine edge. On normal ground conditions, the horse shifts into a different gear entirely, winning 2 of 9 races there (roughly 1 in 4), which is almost double the career win rate. That last victory came at Listowel in June, three months ago, suggesting this horse still knows how to find the line when conditions suit. The sweet spot appears to be middle-distance races between 1 mile 1 furlong and 1 mile 2 furlongs — at that trip, Spy has won 2 of 9 outings (again, 22%), the kind of specificity that savvy trainers use to keep older horses competitive. Even more telling: stepped up to Class 5 races, the horse wins 2 of 5 (40%), a striking figure that hints Spy genuinely belongs in that grade rather than drifting down. C Byrnes, training from Ballingarry in County Limerick, has sent out 26 winners this season and shows no sign of moving Spy on, which suggests faith that the horse still has value to extract. A journeyman performer, yes, but one with clear strengths and a yard willing to use them.
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dundalk Galloping |
6 | 1 win, 2 thirds, 3 other | 10 Dec | 16.7% |
| Roscommon Sharp |
5 | 5 other | 18 Aug | 0% |
| Killarney Sharp |
4 | 1 win, 1 third, 2 other | 21 Aug | 25% |
| Listowel Sharp |
3 | 1 win, 2 other | 1 Jun | 33.3% |
| Down Royal Galloping |
3 | 1 third, 2 other | 4 Sep | 0% |
| Ballinrobe Sharp |
3 | 1 second, 2 other | 22 Jul | 0% |
| Tipperary Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 27 May | 0% |
| Cork Galloping |
2 | 2 seconds | 5 Aug | 0% |
| Sligo Sharp |
2 | 1 second, 1 other | 7 Aug | 0% |
| Wolverhampton Galloping |
1 | 1 win | 29 Mar | 100% |
| Hamilton Park Sharp |
1 | 1 win | 28 Jun | 100% |
| Tramore Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 2 Jun | 0% |
| Thurles Undulating |
1 | 1 third | 9 Oct | 0% |
| Bellewstown Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 4 Jul | 0% |
| Punchestown Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 1 May | 0% |
| Great Yarmouth Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 9 Jun | 0% |
| Newmarket Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 12 May | 0% |
| Galway Tight |
1 | 1 other | 1 Aug | 0% |
| Leopardstown Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 22 Oct | 0% |
| Epsom Downs Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 19 Apr | 0% |
| Lingfield Park Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 15 Dec | 0% |
| Pontefract Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 5 Jul | 0% |
| chelmsford | 1 | 1 third | 25 Nov | 0% |
| Kempton Park Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 29 Oct | 0% |