The peak of Durkan's career so far came at Uttoxeter in March 2022, when he landed a top-level race — one of the most prestigious categories in British racing. For a trainer still in their second year, winning at that level is a significant statement. It means Durkan has already shown he can compete with, and beat, the best-resourced stables in the country, at least on the right day with the right horse.
The most reliable weapon in his armoury is his partnership with jockey Philip Byrnes. Across 26 rides together, they have combined for 6 wins — that is roughly 1 in every 4, a win rate of 23%. To put that in context, the yard's overall win rate this season is 1 in 7, so when Byrnes is in the saddle, the chances of winning nearly treble. That is the kind of statistic that makes a trainer keep picking up the phone to the same jockey.
The one puzzle in Durkan's record is his pairing with a horse called Live Your Dreams, who has gone five races together without a win. Five runs is not a catastrophe, but it does stand out against an otherwise improving picture, and it will be one to watch as the season continues.
With 26 career winners already banked and his best-ever season unfolding right now, Durkan is a trainer worth paying attention to — the sort of small yard that quietly gets better every year until suddenly everyone wants to know who they are.
| Course | Races | Wins | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dundalk | 13 | 3 | 23.1% |
| Punchestown | 9 | 1 | 11.1% |
| Down Royal | 7 | 1 | 14.3% |
| Leopardstown | 7 | 1 | 14.3% |
| Fairyhouse | 6 | 0 | 0% |
| Ballinrobe | 5 | 2 | 40% |
| Navan | 5 | 0 | 0% |
| Cork | 4 | 1 | 25% |
| Cheltenham | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| Naas | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| Galway | 4 | 0 | 0% |
| Limerick | 3 | 1 | 33.3% |
| Thurles | 3 | 1 | 33.3% |
| The Curragh | 3 | 0 | 0% |
| Bellewstown | 2 | 1 | 50% |
| Clonmel | 2 | 0 | 0% |
| Listowel | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| Ascot | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Roscommon | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Laytown | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Kelso | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Tipperary | 1 | 0 | 0% |