Zabriskie Point

Both wins came in 2023. The first was at Leicester in May of that year, and the second — the more revealing one — came at Thirsk in September, on wet and testing ground over a slightly longer trip than usual. Jockey William Buick, speaking afterwards, was candid: Zabriskie Point tolerated the conditions rather than thrived in them, and was probably better suited to faster, firmer ground. That kind of honesty from a jockey is useful, because it narrows down exactly where this horse belongs. At distances between five furlongs and six and a half furlongs on quick ground, he has won 1 from 5 races — a 20% win rate, which is genuinely solid at his level.

The problem is that the level he is typically asked to compete at is a tough one. In Class 2 races — among the better contests in British racing — he has run four times without a win. That is not a disgrace; it simply suggests the ceiling is reasonably well defined. Trainer Adrian McGuinness, based just north of Dublin in Lusk, spoke warmly about him during a stable tour last year, describing him as a bonny, happy horse who enjoyed his work. McGuinness noted that Zabriskie Point had run respectably in a Group 3 at Newmarket as a young horse and had filled out physically as he aged. The yard has been in good form this season, sending out 39 winners, so the environment is a positive one.

Zabriskie Point has not won in his last six races, and his last victory was 33 months ago. He raced just yesterday, which means he is very much still in training and presumably still thought capable of adding to his tally. His recent form — a mix of mid-field and placed efforts — suggests he is holding his form without finding the breakthrough. At this point, finding him on a fast-ground day at a shorter trip might be the combination that unlocks him again.