Union Island

The most striking thing about this horse is what happens at Bath. Union Island has won 2 of its 3 races there, a remarkable 67% win rate at a single track. Most horses never dominate anywhere to that degree; this is the kind of course record that makes trainers and jockeys sit up and plan. It suggests something about the layout or pace at Bath plays directly into Union Island's strengths, and the yard will certainly have that track circled on the calendar.

Sean D Bowen, the jockey who partners Union Island most often, has ridden it to 4 wins from 13 races—a 31% win rate together, well above the horse's overall average. That kind of partnership matters; it means rider and horse understand each other, and Bowen knows how to get the best from this one. The horse clearly prefers normal ground conditions, winning 4 of 9 races (44%) on standard surfaces, and tends to compete in Class 6 races where it has won 5 of 16 (31%).

What stands out less favourably is the current form. Union Island hasn't won in its last six races, though the placings—a third, fourth, third, fourth and fifth, plus a recent sixth—show it's still competitive and running respectably. The last win came three months ago at Leicester on 9 May, which means there's a dry spell to break. At five years old, Union Island is at an age where horses either establish themselves as reliable performers or begin to fade. Charlie Johnston's Middleham Moor yard is one of the most prolific in Britain, with 131 winners sent out this season, so the horse has every advantage in terms of training quality. The question now is whether Union Island can find its way back to the winner's circle soon, particularly if Bowen can get it back to Bath.