The win rate of 9% — roughly one win in every eleven races — sounds modest on paper, but the context matters. Ventura Express is most at home in Class 4 company, and at that level he wins around 1 in every 5 races (4 wins from 19), which is a genuinely competitive record. More striking is what he does at Beverley. Two wins from just five visits there — a 40% win rate — marks him out as a horse who genuinely loves the place. Midgley has been candid about what makes him tick: he wants a stiff five furlongs and a race run at a relentless, end-to-end gallop. Beverley's uphill finish fits that profile almost perfectly.
His most regular partner in the saddle is David Nolan, and together they have an understanding that shows in the numbers: 2 wins from 12 races, or roughly 1 in every 6 — a respectable partnership at this level. Midgley has spoken warmly about the horse, calling him "worth his weight in gold" and crediting a gelding operation as the turning point that unlocked his best form.
The last win came at Beverley in July 2024, now 23 months ago, and the most recent six runs have produced no victories — his last result a fourth place, which at least keeps him in the conversation. He raced just yesterday, so the legs are still very much active. The one thing to watch is pace. Midgley admitted after a flat effort at Pontefract that when the early speed drops off, Ventura Express loses his edge — he needs something to chase. Get him into a proper gallop on a stiff track, and this old boy can still make a race of it.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontefract Undulating |
10 | 2 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, 5 other | 22 May | 20% |
| Beverley Undulating |
5 | 2 wins, 1 second, 2 other | 4 May | 40% |
| Newcastle Galloping |
5 | 1 second, 2 thirds, 2 other | 19 Mar | 0% |
| York Galloping |
5 | 1 second, 4 other | 15 May | 0% |
| Thirsk Galloping |
3 | 3 other | 30 Aug | 0% |
| Redcar Galloping |
3 | 1 third, 2 other | 4 Oct | 0% |
| Haydock Park Galloping |
2 | 2 other | 9 Sep | 0% |
| Doncaster Galloping |
2 | 1 second, 1 other | 7 Jun | 0% |
| Ripon Sharp |
2 | 2 other | 26 Apr | 0% |
| Chester Tight |
2 | 2 other | 20 Sep | 0% |
| Chepstow Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 8 Aug | 0% |
| Wolverhampton Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 25 Mar | 0% |
| Catterick Bridge Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 24 Aug | 0% |
| Hamilton Park Sharp |
1 | 1 other | 30 Sep | 0% |
| Ayr Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 17 Sep | 0% |