Ian Patrick Donoghue

What makes that number more meaningful is the direction of travel. Last year Donoghue was winning around 1 in every 12 or 13 races — about 8% — and this season that has ticked up to 10%. A two-point improvement might seem modest, but across hundreds of runners it represents a genuine shift. He's not just maintaining a level; he's getting better at his job, and doing so at a noticeable pace.

The partnership with jockey Conor Stone-Walsh is arguably the most telling detail in Donoghue's story so far. In 37 races together they've combined for 10 wins — that's 27%, or more than 1 in every 4. That's an exceptional hit rate by any measure, and it tells you something important: when this trainer and this jockey are working together with a horse they believe in, you'd be foolish to look past them. Strong trainer-jockey partnerships like this don't happen by accident; they come from communication, trust, and a shared understanding of how to place horses in the right races.

One particular horse has caught the eye under Donoghue's care — Royal Gladiator has won 1 of their 3 races together, which is a reasonable record but perhaps leaves you wanting more from what looks like a promising partnership in the making. There's also a clear edge when the ground rides wet and heavy. In those conditions Donoghue's horses have won 3 from 18 races — 17%, or close to 1 in every 6 — which is comfortably ahead of his overall average. Soft ground suits certain horses and certain training methods, and Donoghue appears to know exactly which of his horses to saddle up when the rain arrives.

Forty-seven career winners in three years, an improving win rate, and a jockey partnership firing at more than 1 in 4 — Donoghue is quietly building a yard worth following.