What makes Stem interesting is the way his trainer's assessment of his abilities has shifted over time. When the horse first arrived in the yard, Hannon believed he would eventually stay a mile and a half — a considerable distance — but the evidence from the track has pointed in a different direction. Instead, Stem appears to have found his sweet spot at around a mile, though his preferences are worth noting. He is a horse who thrives on soft, wet ground, where he shows genuine acceleration in the closing stages. Put him on fast, dry going and he can look flat-footed, as happened when he ran poorly in the Spring Cup earlier this year. His recent form has been inconsistent — he has finished in the placings in 6 of his 11 races, but his last 6 runs show a mixed picture of 5th, 3rd, 10th, 1st, 4th, and 13th — yet his trainer clearly sees a horse still learning his trade and coming into his own.
With 118 winners sent out by his yard this season, Stem is part of a powerful operation, but he remains one of those horses who will likely never be a star. His win rate of roughly 1 in every 5 and a half races means he is a decent performer, possibly capable of winning races at a reasonable level. At four years old and still active, he has time to add to his tally, particularly if the yard can find the right soft ground and the right distance to suit his style.
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newbury Galloping |
4 | 1 win, 1 second, 2 other | 19 Sep | 25% |
| Sandown Park Galloping |
2 | 1 win, 1 third | 29 Aug | 50% |
| Ascot Galloping |
2 | 1 second, 1 other | 8 Aug | 0% |
| Doncaster Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 24 Jul | 0% |
| Epsom Downs Undulating |
1 | 1 other | 5 Jun | 0% |
| Newmarket Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 19 Jun | 0% |