Before he ever appeared on a racecourse in the traditional sense, Vanderflier won a point-to-point — an amateur race run across open countryside that serves as a finishing school for future jump horses. He didn't just win it; he stayed on strongly, meaning he was running faster at the finish than the beginning. That's the mark of a horse built for stamina, and it's what caught the eye of Sam Curling and Derek O'Connor, two highly regarded figures in the world of horse recruitment. On their recommendation, the Jonjo & A J O'Neill yard bought him at the Cheltenham sale and brought him into a professional racing stable.
The team based at Cheltenham have sent out 51 winners already this season, so this is not a yard struggling for form. They know what a good horse looks like, and they believe Vanderflier is one in the making — specifically, they think he is a proper three-mile chaser, which in jump racing terms means a horse built to tackle the longest, most gruelling distances over fences. That is a compliment. Most horses don't have the engine or the attitude for it.
The fact that he raced just one day ago and is still finding his feet at six years old is entirely normal for a horse on this track. Jump racing takes time. Some of the sport's greatest names didn't hit their stride until their seventh or eighth year. Right now, Vanderflier is learning the job — and the people who bought him, trained him, and recommended him all
| Course | Races | Results | Last run | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick Sharp |
2 | 2 other | 23 Apr | 0% |
| Chepstow Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 15 Mar | 0% |