Treasure Islands

The wins have come at two of the north's most familiar tracks. The first arrived at Ripon in late April 2026, a circuit known for rewarding horses with a bit of zip and tactical awareness. Then, eight weeks later, Treasure Islands went one better and landed another at Catterick Bridge on 22 June — a tight, turning track where horses that handle a bend well tend to thrive. Winning at two different courses suggests this is a horse that travels and adapts, rather than one that just happens to suit a single quirky track.

What makes those wins quietly interesting is the context. Treasure Islands has raced three times at its typical class level without winning, yet in the past six runs it has found a way to the front twice. Something has clearly clicked — whether that is a change in approach, the right conditions arriving, or simply a horse maturing into its own. It raced just one day ago, so it is as live and current as a horse can be.

Behind all of this is Tim Easterby's yard at Great Habton in North Yorkshire. Easterby is one of the most prolific trainers in the north, and this season his team has sent out 128 winners — a volume that speaks to an operation with serious horsepower and a knack for placing horses in races they can win. When a yard like that has a horse in form, it is worth paying attention. Treasure Islands may not be making headlines at the top level, but right now it is a horse that keeps turning up and keeps delivering. That is worth something.