Stratagem

The career numbers tell an interesting story. From 19 races, Stratagem has won 4 and placed a further 6 times — a win rate of roughly 1 in every 5 races (21%), which is a solid return at this level. The really encouraging part is what has happened lately: two wins from the last six races, with the most recent coming at Cartmel just this week. That kind of form in the second half of a horse's career is not something you take for granted.

A large part of the picture is how much Stratagem enjoys normal ground conditions. On a standard, well-maintained track, the record reads 4 wins from 11 races — that is 36%, or roughly 1 in every 3. Compare that to his overall record and it becomes clear this is a horse that genuinely thrives when conditions suit. When the ground gets tricky, the results follow. Find him on a decent day and he is a different proposition.

The man on his back for most of those better moments has been Mr David Maxwell, who has ridden Stratagem in 8 of his 19 races and won 2 of them — a 25% win rate, which works out to 1 win in every 4 rides together. That is a meaningful relationship. Maxwell rode at Ludlow back in March 2022 for Stratagem's first career win, and afterwards was clearly relieved to see the horse back to his best: "He's a lovely horse, a proper horse," he said, admitting he simply could not explain a poor run at Hereford that had preceded it.

Behind it all is trainer Mickey Bowen, operating out of Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire — not exactly the glamour end of British racing, but a yard that has sent out 51 winners this season alone, which speaks for itself. Bowen has always thought well of Stratagem, describing him years ago as a nice horse with a future. At 10, still winning, it is hard to argue with that assessment. Some horses take the long road to proving people right.