Viking Barbie

The recent form tells the story of a horse still learning. In the last six races, Viking Barbie has finished third, fifth, third, fourth, second, and third again — solid, steady efforts without that final burst of class needed to win. The second-place finish stands out as the closest call yet, proof that victory is within reach. Trained by Ollie Sangster at Marlborough in Wiltshire, the horse is in a yard that knows how to prepare winners; Sangster's team has sent out 46 winners this season alone, so the infrastructure and know-how are plainly in place. At two years old, Viking Barbie is still in the learning phase, still developing physically and tactically. Many young horses need time to mature, to work out what they are truly capable of, and right now this one appears to be heading in a promising direction despite the blank scorecard. With consistent placings and a trainer with a winning track record, the breakthrough win may not be far away.