Mark Loughnane

This season, though, tells a slightly different story. Loughnane has sent out 388 runners and found the winner's enclosure 25 times — roughly 1 in every 16 races, or a win rate of around 6%. That's a noticeable step back from last year, when he was winning closer to 1 in every 8. Whether that reflects a tougher draw of horses, a competitive fixture list, or simply the natural ebb and flow of training, it's worth watching how the rest of the campaign develops.

On fast, dry ground, however, Loughnane looks a different proposition. He has won 4 from 32 races in those conditions this season — a 12% win rate, double his overall average. That's not a coincidence; it suggests he either conditions his horses particularly well for quicker surfaces, or that his string simply thrives when the ground firms up. Either way, if you're looking for his runners at their best, check the forecast first.

His most productive working relationship on the track has been with jockey Billy Loughnane — 9 wins from 104 rides together, winning at roughly 1 in every 12. The shared surname isn't coincidental; this is a family yard, and there's something to be said for the shorthand that comes with that kind of close partnership. A jockey who knows the yard, knows the horses, and knows what the trainer wants is worth more than the numbers alone suggest.

His standout individual partnership is with Beaumadier, though the headline figure — 2 wins from 26 races together — tells a story of loyalty as much as dominance. Two wins from 26 is a modest return on paper, but the fact that horse and trainer have run together that many times speaks to a long-term commitment to getting the best from a horse. In training, patience is often what separates the good yards from the great ones.