Thunderbear

The overall record is solid without being flashy: 5 wins and 12 places from 33 races, which works out at roughly 1 win in every 6 or 7 outings — a 15% win rate. That means Thunderbear finishes in the prizes more often than not, even when the win does not come. First blood was drawn at Fairyhouse in September 2022, and Thunderbear has kept showing up competitively ever since, most recently winning at Naas in October 2025.

What is a little harder to square is the record at Class 2 level — 0 wins from 4 races at that grade. This is the tier just below the very top, which makes it an odd gap. Thunderbear has beaten Class 1 opposition but not yet cracked Class 2, which is the kind of quirk that racing throws up and rarely explains neatly.

Ronan Whelan has been the regular jockey, partnering Thunderbear in 10 of its 33 races. Together they have won once, which is a 10% win rate — 1 in every 10 rides. That is modest by the standards of a regular partnership, but Whelan has been in the plate for the bulk of the horse's career and clearly knows the animal well. Davison's yard has sent out 8 winners this season, suggesting the operation is in decent health around it.

Recent form reads 6-1-5-–-3-3 from the last six outings — that central win sandwiched between a couple of near-misses. Thunderbear raced just one day ago, so this is a horse very much in active training and not slowing down. At six, it is hitting the prime years of a racing career, and with a Class 1 win already banked and another victory as recently as last October, there is every reason to think the story is not finished yet.