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Shirocco Star retired the other day with only a maiden win to her name from 13 starts. Losses included 2nd in Investec Oaks by the shortest of short margins and also runner up in the Irish equivalent. Also runner up on Arc weekend and Champions day.
Is there a better horse to have only won a maiden from say 10 or more starts?Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
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Dazzling, it’s the best Aiden’s ever trained
I always thought of her as the female version of Dragon Dancer, but although he won a Listed (eventually) race rather than a Maiden, she was probably the more consistent horse.
Shirocco Star retired the other day with only a maiden win to her name from 13 starts. Losses included 2nd in Investec Oaks by the shortest of short margins and also runner up in the Irish equivalent. Also runner up on Arc weekend and Champions day.
Is there a better horse to have only won a maiden from say 10 or more starts?Interesting post Nathan.
Although he hasn’t run enough times yet, Galileo Rock is shaping as a contender. With only his debut maiden in the win column, he has placed in three classics, Epsom and Irish Derbies and the St Leger. Despite his trainer’s belief that he needs fast ground, his only win and two British Classic places came with cut in the ground. Will they drop him in grade, or will he be tried at the top level and come up short as Shirocco Star did?
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Interesting post Nathan.
Although he hasn’t run enough times yet, Galileo Rock is shaping as a contender. With only his debut maiden in the win column, he has placed in three classics, Epsom and Irish Derbies and the St Leger. Despite his trainer’s belief that he needs fast ground, his only win and two British Classic places came with cut in the ground. Will they drop him in grade, or will he be tried at the top level and come up short as Shirocco Star did?
Shirocco Star was dropped in grade at times. She was beaten in numerous Group 2’s and saw defeat in a Group 3 and listed race this year.
Galileo Rock is a good prediction. Certainly not good enough at the top level and will also find life tough in all aged Group races i fear. Will either meet better older horses with a gear or next year, less exposed types progressing. Then again, they may find a weak Group race in Ireland.
What was the name of the Godolphin horse which cost about £12m and ran in a Newmarket maiden a couple of years ago ?
*** edit
Meydan City. $11.7m and won two races with a combined total of £18,437.
Interesting post Nathan.
Although he hasn’t run enough times yet, Galileo Rock is shaping as a contender. With only his debut maiden in the win column, he has placed in three classics, Epsom and Irish Derbies and the St Leger. Despite his trainer’s belief that he needs fast ground, his only win and two British Classic places came with cut in the ground. Will they drop him in grade, or will he be tried at the top level and come up short as Shirocco Star did?
Shirocco Star was dropped in grade at times. She was beaten in numerous Group 2’s and saw defeat in a Group 3 and listed race this year.
Galileo Rock is a good prediction. Certainly not good enough at the top level and will also find life tough in all aged Group races i fear. Will either meet better older horses with a gear or next year, less exposed types progressing. Then again, they may find a weak Group race in Ireland.
I was thinking more along the lines of trying Galileo Rock over hurdles
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Mars could be in line I suppose even if not for the best horse to only win a maiden but for the most hyped horse to only win a maiden from x amount of races.
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Shirocco Star retired the other day with only a maiden win to her name from 13 starts. Losses included 2nd in Investec Oaks by the shortest of short margins and also runner up in the Irish equivalent. Also runner up on Arc weekend and Champions day.
Is there a better horse to have only won a maiden from say 10 or more starts?I think you are right Nath,
Shirocco Star
is as good an example of a horse who promised so much and yet her record reads poorly.I remember putting this filly up on one of my own threads before she even ran,I went to Nottingham specifically to see her make her debut and duly backed her for the following years Oaks on the back of it at 66/1……..The rest is history but she even beat the bloody Fugue that day!
I’d watch her progeny closely though as she was a big strong filly with plenty substance and a visit to ‘Galileo’ could see her deliver a Group 1 winner yet!Nymbio only won once in his 7 race career, but was good enough to run 2nd in the Prix du Jockey Club in 1971, also 3rd in the Group 2 Prix Nouailles.
Red Rock Canyon
put in some mighty placed efforts in G1s in spite of filling the Ballydoyle suicidal pacemaking role, yet only won a maiden (if my memory serves correctly).
At First Sight was 2nd to Workforce in the Derby, 4th at Royal Ascot, 5th in Irish Derby and 10th in Melbourne Cup but only won a Gowran Park maiden.
Starscope
trained by John Gosden is another Nathan.
She won her maiden first time out and her third race was the 2012 1000 Guineas where she ran second to Home Coming Queen. Since then she has been highly tried and as yet is still seeking a Group win.
She did manage to get herself some black type by running 3rd in a listed race after the Guineas.On the other hand The Fugue who ran 4th to Home Coming Queen has gone onto to prove herself one of the toughest and most genuine fillies in training.
Jac
Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Michael Stoute’s Green Green Desert might not have been one of the best to only win a maiden but by golly he must have been one of the most disappointing ever on the flat. After winning his debut in a Newmarket maiden he was touted as a 2000 Guineas possible. He managed to run another nineteen times on the flat, sometimes well fancied, and never won again, his highest rating being 104. He turned to the National Hunt game and found some success, particularly in chases, but will forever be remembered by some as "Green Green Dodgepot"
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
I’d watch her progeny closely though as she was a big strong filly with plenty substance and a visit to ‘Galileo’ could see her deliver a Group 1 winner yet!
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