Horse profile
Ballygunner Castle (IRE)
by Soldier Of Fortune (IRE) out of Hear The Thunder (IRE) (Presenting)
14 runs · 11 courses · from Feb 2024
As at 1 Nov 2026 · KTB archive: GB, Ireland & France · 2005–present, updated daily
Won last time out
4 wins · 4 courses
Last run 23 Sep 2026 · 1st of 18
Last raced off OR 137
KTB Profile
Ballygunner Castle won four of 14 starts on turf, including the Guinness Kerry National Handicap Steeplechase at Listowel in Sep 2026, a Grade 3 success off an official rating of 137. All four wins came at different courses. He has scored over trips from 1m5f to 3m on ground ranging from heavy to good. Ridden prominently in five of eight analysed runs, the gelding won last time out at Listowel in Sep 2026.
Based on 14 archived runs · run-style from 11 commented runs since Nov 2024 · updated 1 Nov 2026
KTB at a glance
Typically prominent
- 4–14Wins / Runs
- 28.6%Strike rate
- 9 (64.3%)Placed
- +7.00£1 level staken=14 at SP
- 1.25Fair A/E n=14 · 1.06 incl. margin
- 138Highest OR
- 73dAvg between runs
A/E compares actual wins with what starting prices implied. "Fair" strips the bookmaker margin from the expectation, so favourites and longshots are judged on the same footing — figures near 1.00 mean the market priced this horse about right.
Official rating137↓ 1lb off peak
137
127–138
KTB Speed and Rating
KTB Speed
Best recent Speed 173
How fast the horse ran, as points against the day-corrected standard time for its course and distance: 100 is the median GB Class 4 handicap winner on that code; one point is 0.1% of the standard time. A, B or C is how much the day's card could tell us, not how good the run was. What this means →
Jumps
| Going | Runs | Best | Median | Since 1 Nov 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | 5 | 129A | 93 | 1 run · — |
| Heavy | 4 | 170A | 150.5 | 2 runs · 170 / 157 |
| Good | 2 | 173B | 121.5 | 2 runs · 173 / 121.5 |
| Good to Soft | 2 | 114B | 98.5 | — |
| Distance | Runs | Best | Median | Since 1 Nov 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2m5f – 3m | 5 | 173B | 114 | 3 runs · 173 / 170 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 4 | 157A | 136.5 | 2 runs · 144 / 115 |
| 1m5f – 2m | 4 | 107A | 98.5 | — |
Of 14 runs looked at, 1 has no figure: did not complete (1).
KTB Speed v1 · batch 15 Sep 2026 · GB & Irish racing only · 13 figures from 14 runs · as at 3 Oct 2026 · a record, not a forecast
Both figures are KTB's own, computed from the archive; no vendor rating enters either. Every run's figure is on its form line below with its grade. Grades measure how much the archive could see, never the merit of the run.
Run style from 11 analysed runs since Nov 2024
- Prominent 8 (73%) · 2 wins
- Led 2 (18%) · 0 wins
- Held up 1 (9%) · 0 wins
Pedigree intelligence
Sire
Progeny in our archive have won 11.3% of 5,859 runs since May 2013 (682 horses).
Weakest on standard (aw) going: 6.5% from 336. Weakest over 1m – 1m1f (all codes): 3.2% from 249.
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm | 1 | 1 | 100% | +88.7 | — |
| Good to Firm | 80 | 16 | 20% | +8.7 | — |
| Good | 1,538 | 189 | 12.3% | +1 | 1 from 2 |
| Good to Soft | 1,227 | 136 | 11.1% | −0.2 | 1 from 2 |
| Soft | 1,897 | 214 | 11.3% | 0 | 1 from 6 |
| Heavy | 780 | 86 | 11% | −0.3 | 1 from 4 |
| Standard (AW) | 336 | 22 | 6.5% | −4.8 | — |
| Distance (all codes) | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6f | 3 | 0 | 0% | −11.3 | — |
| 6f – 7f | 71 | 8 | 11.3% | 0 | — |
| 1m – 1m1f | 249 | 8 | 3.2% | −8.1 | — |
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 493 | 64 | 13% | +1.7 | — |
| 1m5f – 2m | 1,579 | 193 | 12.2% | +0.9 | 2 from 4 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 1,986 | 203 | 10.2% | −1.1 | 1 from 4 |
| 2m5f – 3m | 1,239 | 155 | 12.5% | +1.2 | 1 from 6 |
| Over 3m | 239 | 33 | 13.8% | +2.5 | — |
Flat and jumps together (all codes) · since May 2013 · as at 31 Oct 2026 · rows under 30 runs muted · win % is the measure, a record not a forecast
Dam
Hear The Thunder (IRE) (Presenting)
1 sibling in the archive, 0 winners.
| Produce | Runs | Wins | Win trips | Best grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soldier At Arms (IRE) | 3 | 0 | — | — |
Record by conditions
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | 6 | 1 | 17% | −2.00 |
| Heavy | 4 | 1 | 25% | −1.75 |
| Good | 2 | 1 | 50% | +10.00 |
| Good to Soft | 2 | 1 | 50% | +0.75 |
| Class | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 3 | 1 | 33% | +9.00 |
| Course | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punchestown | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Fairyhouse | 2 | 1 | 50% | +2.00 |
| Listowel (IRE) | 1 | 1 | 100% | +11.00 |
| Galway (IRE) | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Naas | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Perth | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Clonmel | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Navan | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Tipperary | 1 | 1 | 100% | +1.75 |
| Limerick | 1 | 1 | 100% | +1.25 |
| Thurles | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Distance | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2m5f – 3m | 6 | 1 | 17% | +6.00 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 4 | 1 | 25% | −1.75 |
| 1m5f – 2m | 4 | 2 | 50% | +2.75 |
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Mullins | 5 | 1 | 20% | +7.00 |
| Paul Townend | 4 | 1 | 25% | +0.00 |
| Rachael Blackmore | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Mr P W Mullins | 1 | 1 | 100% | +1.75 |
| Miss J Townend | 1 | 1 | 100% | +1.25 |
| Fern O'Brien | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Headgear | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | 13 | 4 | 31% | +8.00 |
| Hood + tongue tie | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Season | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 1 | 25% | +8.00 |
| 2025 | 6 | 0 | 0% | −6.00 |
| 2024 | 4 | 3 | 75% | +5.00 |
| Type | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase | 6 | 1 | 17% | +6.00 |
| Hurdle | 5 | 1 | 20% | −1.00 |
| NH Flat | 3 | 2 | 67% | +2.00 |
Splits include every sample, however small — muted rows are under 3 runs. A one-from-one record is a fact, not a trend: read the Runs column before the strike rate.
Form
| Date | Course | Race | Pos | Btn | Wgt | OR | Spd | KTB | Jockey | SP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 · 4 runs | ||||||||||
| 23 Sep 26+56d | Listowel (IRE) | Guinness Kerry National Handicap Steeplechase (Grade 3) Up with the pace and pulling hard early - moved to 2nd at the 8th - hit the front approaching 2 out - not foot-perfect at the last but kept on strongly to win | 1/18 | 11-0 | 137 | 173B | 149A | Danny Mullins | 11/1 | |
| 29 Jul 26+89d | Galway (IRE) | Tote Galway Plate (Handicap Steeplechase) (Grade 3) Held up towards the back - stumbled at the 2nd - unable to make an impression thereafter - well beaten in 18th | 18/22 | 21 | 10-11 | 138 | 70C | 111C | Danny Mullins | 10/1 |
| 01 May 26+54d | Punchestown | QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase (Listed) Sat close to the front group - moved into 3rd three out - urged forward on the inside turning for home - asked for more after two out but had little left and slipped to 4th before the last - stayed on at one speed to finish 4th | 4/22 | 4¼ | 11-8 | 138 | 86B | 146A | Danny Mullins | 8/1 |
| 08 Mar 26+67d | Naas | BAR 1 Betting 'Download Our App For Cheltenham Rewards' Beginners Chase Set the pace early - slightly awkward first fence - urged on approaching 2 out - driven and quickly challenged hard - overtaken close to the final fence - stayed on gamely to the line but outdone by the winner | 2/7 | ½ | 11-12 | — | 144A | 150B | Danny Mullins | 5/6F |
| 2025 · 6 runs | ||||||||||
| 31 Dec 25+20d | Punchestown | Celebrating 175 Years At Punchestown Tote Beginners Chase Handy early - hit the front 2nd - shared the running before 4th before going back in command after 5th - stumbled 11th - came down 4 out | F/10 | — | 11-12 | — | — | — | Paul Townend | 15/8 |
| 11 Dec 25+232d | Punchestown | Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase Sat close up early - faded to midfield after 6th and stumbled 8th - back on bridle 6th - moved through pack after 12th - up into second 3 out - couldn't reel in front-runner and stumbled at last - stayed on to finish - beaten one and a half lengths | 2/10 | 1½ | 11-12 | — | 170A | 147A | Paul Townend | 5/1 |
| 23 Apr 25+17d | Perth | British EBF Gold Castle 'National Hunt' Novices' Hurdle (Listed) (GBB Race) Sat close up early - error at the 8th cost ground before 2 out - dropped away steadily to finish well beaten in 10th | 10/14 | 5 | 11-2 | 134 | 114B | 119A | Rachael Blackmore | 17/2 |
| 06 Apr 25+52d | Fairyhouse | Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) Sat handy early travelling keenly - up to 2nd by halfway - improved to share front spot turning in - driven after two out and lost command approaching the line - dropped to 3rd and stayed on same rhythm to finish | 3/8 | 1 | 11-3 | 127 | 129A | 148A | Rachael Blackmore | 9/2 |
| 13 Feb 25+26d | Clonmel | Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) Sat behind pace early - hint of a stumble 6 out and hampered stride 4 out - up alongside front-runner into straight - urged along before 2 out - still in touch approaching last then held on well but outpaced by winner on run-in | 2/3 | ½ | 11-0 | 129 | 57C | 127C | Paul Townend | Evens |
| 18 Jan 25+49d | Navan | Race Displays Rated Novice Hurdle Shared front spot early - went clear after first - drifted left at the fourth from home - pushed along and closely chased after two out - overtaken before last and stayed on same rate | 4/5 | 4¾ | 11-9 | — | 93C | 139B | Danny Mullins | 2/1F |
| 2024 · 4 runs | ||||||||||
| 30 Nov 24+199d | Fairyhouse | Kettles Country House Hotel Supporting Fingal Ravens GFC Raceday Maiden Hurdle Handy early despite mistake at first - in front from second - going smoothly until baulked by a riderless rival and knocked right two out - shaken up and edging away before last but veered markedly right again - overtaken at the final flight - driven to fight back and regain front inside the closing furlong - kept finding more to prevail | 1/25 | 11-12 | — | 104B | 140A | Paul Townend | 3/1 | |
| 15 May 24+26d | Tipperary | Racing Again May 28th (Pro/Am) Flat Race | 1/12 | 12-0 | — | 83B | 140A | Mr P W Mullins | 7/4F | |
| 19 Apr 24+66d | Limerick | Limerick Races On Twitter Flat Race | 1/6 | 12-0 | — | 157A | 139B | Miss J Townend | 5/4 | |
| 13 Feb 24 | Thurles | John Thomas McNamara Series Flat Race | 3/11 | 2 | 12-0 | — | 107A | 136A | Fern O'Brien | 11/4 |
Quick answers
- How many races has Ballygunner Castle won?
- Ballygunner Castle (IRE) won 4 of 14 archived starts between 2024 and 2026, a strike rate of 28.6%. Placed 9 times in total (64.3% of starts).
- Who trains Ballygunner Castle?
- Ballygunner Castle (IRE) is trained by W. P. Mullins, who saddled the horse on its most recent run on 23 September 2026.
- Who is Ballygunner Castle's sire?
- Ballygunner Castle (IRE) is by Soldier Of Fortune (IRE) out of Hear The Thunder (IRE), whose sire is Presenting.
- What going does Ballygunner Castle prefer?
- Ballygunner Castle (IRE) has the best record on heavy going: 1 win from 4 starts (25%). Only going bands with at least three archived starts are read, so this is a direction rather than a settled preference.
- What is Ballygunner Castle's official rating?
- The most recent official rating on record is 137, from the run on 23 September 2026. The highest on record is 138.
- What is Ballygunner Castle's sire's record?
- Soldier Of Fortune (IRE)'s progeny in our archive have won 11.3% of 5,859 runs since May 2013 (682 horses), Flat and jumps together. Weakest on standard (aw) going: 6.5% from 336. Weakest over 1m – 1m1f (all codes): 3.2% from 249.
- Who are Ballygunner Castle's siblings?
- Out of Hear The Thunder (IRE), Ballygunner Castle (IRE) has 1 other produce in our archive, 0 of them winners. As at Nov 2026.