Stephen Thorne

The last 12 months tell the clearest story: 24 winners from 162 runners, which works out at roughly 1 in every 7 races. For a trainer in their first full season, that is a solid return. Many established yards would be happy with that number, and Thorne has achieved it while still learning the rhythms of the job.

The most important relationship in the yard right now is with jockey Jack Kearney. Together they have produced 19 wins from 104 races — that is almost 1 in every 5 rides, a noticeably better rate than Thorne's overall yard average. When Kearney is in the saddle, things happen more often, and that kind of reliable partnership matters enormously in a sport where trust between trainer and jockey takes time to build.

One small but interesting detail: on fast, dry ground Thorne's horses have won 1 from 4 races, a 25% rate. The sample is too small to draw firm conclusions, but it is worth watching as the seasons change. If that pattern holds up over more runners, it could become a genuine angle for anyone following the yard closely.

The one relationship that has not clicked yet is with a horse called Inishfallen — six races together and no wins to show for it. That kind of persistent near-miss happens in racing, and it does not reflect badly on Thorne overall. But it does underline that even a trainer hitting their stride cannot always unlock every horse in the stable. With only a year on the clock and 40 winners already banked, the trajectory here is what stands out most.