The relationship with jockey P J McDonald looks like one of the yard's most important assets. Across 59 rides together, McDonald has brought home 12 winners — a win rate of 20%, or 1 in every 5. That kind of consistency between a trainer and a jockey doesn't happen by accident. It suggests a genuine understanding of how the horses are prepared, when they're ready to run, and how to get the best out of them on the day. When Oldroyd puts McDonald up, it's worth paying attention.
The standout individual story is the partnership with one particular horse, who has won 4 of the 15 races they have shared together. Four wins from 15 outings is a remarkable record in a sport where even good horses win less than a quarter of the time — it points to a trainer who knows exactly what suits a horse and isn't afraid to be patient. That kind of specific, targeted approach is a hallmark of trainers who punch above their weight, and Oldroyd appears to have that instinct in abundance.
Thirty-one career winners in four years might sound modest set against the big yards sending out hundreds of runners a season, but context matters enormously here. Oldroyd is a relatively small operation still finding its feet, and the numbers are moving in exactly the right direction. If the win rate keeps climbing and the McDonald partnership continues to fire, the next few years could see him establish himself as one of the more reliable smaller trainers in the game. The foundations look solid.
| Course | Races | Wins | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwell | 16 | 5 | 31.2% |
| Newcastle | 15 | 2 | 13.3% |
| York | 12 | 1 | 8.3% |
| Doncaster | 8 | 1 | 12.5% |
| Redcar | 6 | 2 | 33.3% |
| Beverley | 5 | 0 | 0% |
| Thirsk | 2 | 1 | 50% |
| Pontefract | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| Catterick Bridge | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Kempton Park | 1 | 0 | 0% |