When "Unstoppable" Horses Stop Dead: The Storm Boy Disaster That Had Me Questioning Everything

By Lewis Barnett 24 June, 2025 6 mins read 33 Views

Look, I've been covering racing for twelve years now, and I thought I'd seen every kind of hype train derailment possible.

I was wrong.

Storm Boy just redefined what it means to spectacularly fail to live up to expectations. This wasn't just a disappointment - this was watching a supposed "relentless, unstoppable freak" turn into something that couldn't beat a lame donkey if it had a head start.

Aidan O'Brien called him a freak before his Irish debut. The bookies were running scared before Royal Ascot. Hell, I even put twenty quid on him myself because the hype was that convincing. (Yeah, I feel pretty stupid about that now.)

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The Australian Dream That Became an Irish Nightmare

Here's the thing that really gets me - Storm Boy wasn't some unproven youngster getting thrown to the wolves. This horse had legitimate credentials. Five wins from seven starts Down Under. Group 2 and Group 3 victories. Nearly two million pounds in earnings. On paper, he looked like exactly the kind of horse that would thrive under O'Brien's guidance at Ballydoyle.

Instead? Dead last in the Group 2 Greenland Stakes. Absolutely dead last.

My mate texted me after that race: "Your boy Storm Boy just got schooled by horses that probably cost less than his shipping fees." Brutal, but accurate.

Royal Ascot: Where Dreams Go to Die

You'd think one disaster would be enough to temper expectations, right? Wrong. The betting public (myself included, apparently) decided that first run was just a blip. Maybe he needed time to adjust to European racing. Maybe the trip didn't suit him. Maybe, maybe, maybe.

So there we were at Royal Ascot, watching Storm Boy line up for the Platinum Jubilee Stakes as one of the most backed horses in the field. The bookies were genuinely worried about this one - you could see it in how they were laying him.

Tenth of fifteen under Ryan Moore.

Tenth! He beat exactly four horses in what was supposed to be his coming-out party. I watched through my fingers like it was a horror movie, except horror movies usually have better endings.

The £7,890 Consolation Prize

And now? Off to stud he goes, with a service fee of £7,890. Tom Magnier from Coolmore Australia is putting the best possible spin on it, talking about how "jaw-dropping" Storm Boy was in his early career, how he "broke his opponents' hearts" like his sire Justify.

Fair enough - the horse did show genuine brilliance in Australia. But here's what Magnier also said, and this is the bit that made me wince: "We felt we were getting back to where we needed to be with him, but he was found to be quite lame since returning to Ballydoyle on Saturday."

Lame. After finishing tenth at Royal Ascot.

Sometimes the racing gods have a twisted sense of humor.

O'Brien's Rough Week Gets Rougher

Poor Aidan's having the kind of week that makes you want to hide under the duvet and pretend the outside world doesn't exist. First Storm Boy becomes a very expensive disappointment, then Los Angeles - who actually won the Tattersalls Gold Cup and looked like the real deal - gets pulled from all the big summer races after what can only be described as a Royal Ascot balls-up in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

Five winners at Royal Ascot sounds impressive until you realize none of them were Group 1s. For a trainer of O'Brien's caliber, that's like a chef being praised for making decent sandwiches when everyone expected a five-course meal.

The whole Storm Boy saga reminds me why I both love and hate this sport. One minute you're watching what looks like the next superstar, the next you're watching that same horse get beaten by animals that probably cost less than his monthly feed bill. Racing has a way of humbling everyone - horses, trainers, punters, and journalists who thought they knew what they were talking about.

At least Storm Boy will get a second career at stud. That's more than I can say for my twenty quid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the role of a jockey in training a racehorse?

Racehorses are trained by jockeys, who play an important role. They ride horses and provide feedback about the horse's performance. But they also teach the horse racing tactics like pacing, position, and how to respond to commands. A good jockey is able to recognize the horse's strengths, weaknesses and how they can be improved.

Is there a need for a specific shoe on a racing horse?

Racehorses wear special shoes called racing plates, which are lighter and thinner than regular horseshoes. These plates offer the necessary grip on the track while minimizing their weight. A racehorse-trained farrier will fit and select the right shoes for each horse based on its hoof shape and the racing surface.

What precautions should be taken to ensure the health of a racehorse when training it?

Preventing injury and illness requires that you pay attention to your racehorse’s health. Regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, dental care, and proper hoof management are essential. It is also important to monitor the horse for any signs of strain or fatigue. Implementing a well-thought-out training regimen that allows for gradual progression in intensity can help minimize the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.

How often are racehorses trained?

Racehorses' training frequency is determined by the horse, his level of fitness and racing schedule. In general, racehorses will have a daily exercise routine that includes walking, trotting, or cantering. This is followed by more demanding work, like galloping or breezing at least three times a weekly, to improve stamina. Rest days are equally important to allow the horse to recover and prevent overtraining.

Can you train your racehorse anywhere?

While initial training on a variety tracks is possible, specific race preparation often requires facilities to simulate the conditions a horse will encounter in competition. This can include tracks of the right size with the exact same type and surface that the horse will race upon. By using the right track, you can condition your horse properly and help them get used to the racing environment.

Do different breeds of horses require different training methods?

The race training methods used for different breeds of horses can vary because the breed characteristics as well as racing distances are different. For instance, Thoroughbreds, which are commonly associated with long-distance flat racing, undergo different training compared to Quarter Horses, which specialize in sprinting short distances. To meet the physical and behavioral characteristics of each breed, a customized approach is required.

Statistics

Around 80% of thoroughbred racehorses begin their racing careers by the age of two, according to industry estimates.
Approximately 70% of a racehorse's diet consists of forage, with the remainder made up of grains and supplements to meet their high-calorie needs.
Research has found that a racehorse's stride length can increase by up to 7% following specific strength and conditioning programs.
An extensive survey indicated that over 90% of racehorse trainers utilize swimming as a low-impact exercise in their conditioning routines.
Statistically, less than 1% of thoroughbred foals born each year will go on to win a stakes race.
Racehorse mortality rates during racing have been observed to be between 1.5 to 2 deaths per thousand starts, depending on the racing jurisdiction.

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How To

How to teach a horse racing tactics

For a jockey with experience to help a horse learn racing tactics, he or she must combine trackwork as well as guidance. Practice gate starts, pacing, positioning, and response to varying tempos within a race. Use role-playing to introduce your horse to different racing scenarios and teach him to adapt to a competitive setting. A well-instructed animal can make strategic moves, and adjust their pace as instructed by the rider. This greatly influences the outcome of a competition.