Charles O'Brien

The partnership with jockey Gavin Brouder tells a similarly frustrating story. Across 11 rides together, the pair have yet to get their heads in front — 0 wins from 11 attempts. That's a combination that clearly hasn't clicked yet, and at some point both sides will be asking whether a change might shake things loose. Meanwhile, O'Brien's most prominent horse, Miss Americana, has gone 12 races without a win under his care. Twelve races is a long run of near-misses or worse, and while horses can be complicated and unpredictable animals, that record suggests something hasn't quite fallen into place for her.

There is one small bright spot worth noting. On wet or muddy ground, O'Brien's runners perform noticeably better — 1 win from 11 races in those conditions works out at 9%, which is three times his overall rate this season. It's a slender thread, but it suggests there may be a particular type of horse or race that suits his yard, even if the broader picture remains difficult. For now, O'Brien is a trainer in a rebuilding moment, four years in and searching for the form that will turn a tough season into a footnote rather than a trend.