Sturlasson

His record tells the story. Over four visits to Southwell, he has won twice—a win rate of 50 percent at that track, which is the kind of consistency trainers dream about finding. His most recent victory came on 21 November 2025, a Class 2 win that stands as his best result to date. When he steps into the sprint box at distances under five furlongs, he wins 2 of every 4 races, significantly above his career average. On normal ground, his win rate jumps to 33 percent—almost three times better than his overall figures. Put him in the right conditions on the right track, and Sturlasson is a different proposition.

Jockey Stevie Donohoe has partnered him twice with winning results in six rides together, a 33 percent partnership win rate. That kind of consistency between horse and rider often means they understand each other's rhythm. Ryan's yard at Newmarket has had an active season, sending out eleven winners, and Sturlasson remains part of an operation that knows how to place its runners to advantage.

The concern is his recent form. He has not won in his last six races, with finishes of eighth, tenth, fourth, ninth, second, and fifth—solid finishes mixed with some poor days. At five years old and still active, he is in the middle years of his career, the stage where horses either establish themselves in winning patterns or drift sideways into steadier company. For Sturlasson, the formula remains clear: get him to Southwell, keep the ground normal, run him short, and keep Donohoe in the saddle when possible. Whether he can rediscover that winning touch soon will decide whether he becomes a reliable money-maker or simply another honest mile-and-a-half horse in an ordinary yard.