Horse profile
Despereaux (FR)
by Great Pretender (IRE) out of Rouvraie (FR) (Anabaa)
28 runs · 13 courses · from Oct 2022
As at 1 Nov 2026 · KTB archive: GB, Ireland & France · 2005–present, updated daily
5 wins · 4 courses
Last run 6 May 2026 · 6th of 8
Last raced off OR 104
KTB Profile
Despereaux is a gelding who has won five of 28 starts on turf. He won a Class 4 handicap hurdle at Hereford over 3m on good to soft in Dec 2025 off a mark of 101, and has also scored twice at Taunton and once at Ludlow. All five wins came in handicaps or maidens between 1m5f and 3m, with three on good to soft and two on good. Usually a front-runner, he finished sixth of eight at Newton Abbot in May 2026 in a Class 4 handicap hurdle off an official rating of 104.
Based on 28 archived runs · run-style from 17 commented runs since Sep 2024 · updated 1 Nov 2026
KTB at a glance
OR ↓ 14lb off peak
- 5–28Wins / Runs
- 17.9%Strike rate
- 10 (35.7%)Placed
- −3.05£1 level staken=28 at SP
- 1.15Fair A/E n=28 · 1.00 incl. margin
- 118Highest OR
- 48dAvg 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 rating104↓ 14lb off peak
104
97–118
KTB Speed and Rating
KTB Speed
Best recent Speed 119
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 12 | 149C | 113.5 | 5 runs · 127 / 119 |
| Good to Soft | 9 | 139A | 105 | 1 run · — |
| Heavy | 3 | 93C | 82 | — |
| Soft | 2 | 95B | 89 | — |
| Distance | Runs | Best | Median | Since 1 Nov 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Over 3m | 8 | 149C | 118.5 | 5 runs · 124 / 118 |
| 1m5f – 2m | 7 | 107A | 95 | — |
| 2m5f – 3m | 6 | 140B | 125 | 1 run · — |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 5 | 108A | 92 | — |
Of 28 runs looked at, 2 have no figure: obstacles omitted — the race ran a shortened course (1) · did not complete (1).
KTB Speed v1 · batch 15 Sep 2026 · GB & Irish racing only · 26 figures from 28 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 17 analysed runs since Sep 2024
- Led 8 (47%) · 2 wins
- Prominent 5 (29%) · 1 win
- Mid-division 3 (18%) · 0 wins
- Held up 1 (6%) · 0 wins
Pedigree intelligence
Sire
Great Pretender (IRE)
Progeny in our archive have won 13% of 3,548 runs since Mar 2010 (410 horses).
Strongest over 1m5f – 2m (all codes): 16.5% from 728. Weakest over 1m2f – 1m4f (all codes): 6.6% from 151.
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm | 1 | 1 | 100% | +87 | — |
| Good to Firm | 19 | 2 | 10.5% | −2.5 | — |
| Good | 715 | 100 | 14% | +1 | 2 from 13 |
| Good to Soft | 571 | 78 | 13.7% | +0.7 | 3 from 9 |
| Soft | 1,404 | 181 | 12.9% | −0.1 | 0 from 3 |
| Heavy | 756 | 96 | 12.7% | −0.3 | 0 from 3 |
| Standard (AW) | 81 | 4 | 4.9% | −8.1 | — |
| Distance (all codes) | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6f – 7f | 14 | 1 | 7.1% | −5.9 | — |
| 1m – 1m1f | 28 | 0 | 0% | −13 | — |
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 151 | 10 | 6.6% | −6.4 | — |
| 1m5f – 2m | 728 | 120 | 16.5% | +3.5 | 2 from 9 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 1,653 | 210 | 12.7% | −0.3 | 0 from 5 |
| 2m5f – 3m | 772 | 94 | 12.2% | −0.8 | 2 from 6 |
| Over 3m | 202 | 27 | 13.4% | +0.4 | 1 from 8 |
Flat and jumps together (all codes) · since Mar 2010 · as at 31 Oct 2026 · rows under 30 runs muted · win % is the measure, a record not a forecast
Dam
Rouvraie (FR) (Anabaa)
6 siblings in the archive, 1 winner — best of them Sassari (FR) (1 win).
The wins came over 2m2f.
| Produce | Runs | Wins | Win trips | Best grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sassari (FR) | 10 | 1 | 2m2f | — |
| French Adventure (FR) | 2 | 0 | — | — |
| Jonjo Bravo (FR) | 3 | 0 | — | — |
| Chuck A Luck (FR) | 3 | 0 | — | — |
| Marais (FR) | 4 | 0 | — | — |
| Royal Mask (FR) | 1 | 0 | — | — |
Record by conditions
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 13 | 2 | 15% | +1.50 |
| Good to Soft | 9 | 3 | 33% | +1.45 |
| Soft | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Heavy | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Class | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 4 | 16 | 3 | 19% | +1.25 |
| Class 5 | 7 | 2 | 29% | +0.70 |
| Class 2 | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Class 3 | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Course | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton Abbot | 5 | 0 | 0% | −5.00 |
| Taunton | 4 | 2 | 50% | +2.00 |
| Hereford | 3 | 1 | 33% | +0.75 |
| Ludlow | 3 | 1 | 33% | +1.20 |
| Huntingdon | 3 | 1 | 33% | +8.00 |
| Plumpton | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Chepstow | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Worcester | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Exeter | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Wincanton | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Lingfield | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Ascot | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Ffos Las | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Distance | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1m5f – 2m | 9 | 2 | 22% | +4.50 |
| Over 3m | 8 | 1 | 13% | −4.25 |
| 2m5f – 3m | 6 | 2 | 33% | +1.70 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 5 | 0 | 0% | −5.00 |
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Noonan | 14 | 2 | 14% | −0.50 |
| Ciaran Gethings | 7 | 0 | 0% | −7.00 |
| Jonathan Burke | 2 | 1 | 50% | +1.50 |
| Tom Bellamy | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| James Best | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Isabelle Ryder | 1 | 1 | 100% | +2.75 |
| Freddie Gingell | 1 | 1 | 100% | +3.20 |
| Mr Peter Summers | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Headgear | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | 15 | 2 | 13% | −1.50 |
| Cheekpieces | 11 | 3 | 27% | +0.45 |
| Tongue tie | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Season | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| 2025 | 8 | 1 | 13% | −4.25 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 | 22% | −1.30 |
| 2023 | 6 | 1 | 17% | −3.50 |
| 2022 | 2 | 1 | 50% | +9.00 |
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 · 3 runs | ||||||||||
| 06 May 26+30d | Newton Abbot | Sky Sports Racing Handicap Hurdle Shared the front spot early - pushed along and lost command after 3 out - dropped away 2 out - eventually well held in 6th | 6/8 | 23 | 11-9 | 104 | 99C | 88C | Tom Bellamy | 8/1 |
| 06 Apr 26+19d | Hereford | Green Dragon Hotel Hereford Handicap Hurdle Shared front spot early - lost command 3 out and pressed for effort - dropped away 2 out to finish well held | 5/7 | ¾ | 11-10 | 106 | 93A | 111B | James Best | 6/1 |
| 18 Mar 26+98d | Hereford | Hereford Bull Trail Launch 2026 Handicap Hurdle Settled just off the pace - pushed along after 3 out - unable to land a blow - beaten into 5th | 5/7 | 2 | 11-6 | 107 | 119A | 108B | Ciaran Gethings | 9/2 |
| 2025 · 8 runs | ||||||||||
| 10 Dec 25+16d | Hereford | BetWright Safer Gambling Handicap Hurdle Sat close to the pace - hit the front before 2 out and asked for effort - kept finding to score | 1/7 | 10-12 | 101 | 118B | 118B | Isabelle Ryder | 11/4 | |
| 24 Nov 25+22d | Ludlow | GC Rickards And Son Handicap Hurdle Set the pace early - driven from three out - jumped awkwardly and lost front spot at the last - lost ground steadily on the run-in to finish second | 2/6 | 4¼ | 11-8 | 99 | 127B | 122B | Ciaran Gethings | 6/4F |
| 02 Nov 25+15d | Huntingdon | Book Your Christmas Parties At Huntingdon Handicap Hurdle Went straight to the front - overtaken before the 3rd fence and pressed for effort behind the winner before 2 out - held level running to the last - eased back into 3rd soon after | 3/16 | 3¾ | 12-0 | 100 | 124B | 127A | Ciaran Gethings | 10/1 |
| 18 Oct 25+19d | Newton Abbot | Remembering Len & Pam Cartwright Handicap Hurdle Held up early - unable to land a blow - well held throughout - finished 9th | 9/9 | ½ | 10-12 | 102 | 102A | 90A | Jonathan Burke | 10/1 |
| 29 Sep 25+20d | Newton Abbot | Visit Our Antiques Fair 25th October Handicap Hurdle Went straight to front early - held the advantage until the 4th - dropped away from second spot after 3 out - faded fast from there - finished 5th well beaten | 5/5 | 10 | 11-5 | 105 | 85C | 96B | Ciaran Gethings | 6/1 |
| 09 Sep 25+156d | Newton Abbot | AxeTheRacingTax Handicap Hurdle Settled in fourth early on - dropped away three out and pushed along under pressure - unable to make an impact and well held at the finish | 6/6 | 14 | 11-11 | 107 | 102C | 92C | Ciaran Gethings | 6/1 |
| 06 Apr 25+27d | Plumpton | Derek Ogden Memorial Handicap Hurdle Soon in front - opened a three-length advantage by the 6th - margin shortened by the 7th - pushed on hard 3 out - overtaken on the home turn - unable to match the front two from 2 out and faded up the straight finishing third | 3/5 | 19 | 11-5 | 108 | 124C | 107B | David Noonan | 7/2 |
| 10 Mar 25+70d | Plumpton | Hop Into Racing This Easter Handicap Hurdle Sat just behind pace early - went ahead second - driven over last two furlongs - lost momentum slightly at final fence - battled hard up the run-in but overhauled close to line | 2/5 | ¾ | 11-1 | 105 | 149C | 118B | Ciaran Gethings | 5/2J |
| 2024 · 9 runs | ||||||||||
| 30 Dec 24+18d | Taunton | South Shore Handicap Hurdle Well placed early - dropped towards the back but not far off after the 7th - pushed along approaching 3 out - rallied to fight for third spot 2 out - unable to get on terms and drifted right close home | 4/6 | nse | 11-1 | 105 | 123A | 112B | David Noonan | 2/1F |
| 12 Dec 24+8d | Taunton | Twixmas Meeting 30th December Handicap Hurdle Sprang forward and set the pace early on - untidy jumping 8th - kicked on entering home straight - opened up a big margin before 2 out - advantage narrowed on the run to the line but never in danger - scored comfortably | 1/15 | 11-10 | 97 | 140B | 128A | Jonathan Burke | 5/2F | |
| 04 Dec 24+28d | Ludlow | Marsh Commercial Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle Went in front early before yielding it at the 2nd - regained command soon after - jumped awkwardly and lost the advantage at the 5th - back in charge from the 6th - drifted off a true line and needed encouragement approaching the last - drew away up the run-in for an untroubled success | 1/7 | 11-7 | 97 | 139A | 121B | Freddie Gingell | 16/5 | |
| 06 Nov 24+21d | Chepstow | Lucy Lev Handicap Hurdle Settled in the pack early - dropped away steadily approaching 3 out - well held at the finish | 10/18 | 1¼ | 11-13 | 99 | 92C | 100C | David Noonan | 16/1 |
| 16 Oct 24+26d | Worcester | Sri Lanka Awaits You Handicap Hurdle Settled in the pack early - improved into 3rd approaching 4 out - pressed for effort and unable to quicken 3 out - finished 3rd | 3/9 | 9 | 11-9 | 100 | 83C | 108C | David Noonan | 16/1 |
| 20 Sep 24+149d | Newton Abbot | Devondale Electrical Handicap Hurdle (Div 2) Settled in the pack - pushed along before three out then lost touch approaching two out - unable to get closer before the last and beaten well home | 8/10 | 4 | 12-0 | 103 | 108A | 102A | David Noonan | 17/2 |
| 24 Apr 24+17d | Taunton | Dave Criddle Travel Handicap Hurdle (Div 2) | 8/10 | hd | 11-10 | 105 | 95A | 105A | David Noonan | 5/1 |
| 07 Apr 24+46d | Exeter | Harcombe Handicap Hurdle | 4/6 | shd | 11-2 | 107 | 82C | 123B | David Noonan | 14/1 |
| 21 Feb 24+71d | Ludlow | Michael Lumsden Memorial Handicap Hurdle | 3/11 | 16 | 11-13 | 109 | — | 115C | David Noonan | 15/2 |
| 2023 · 6 runs | ||||||||||
| 12 Dec 23+28d | Wincanton | Yarlington Handicap Hurdle | 7/8 | nk | 11-4 | 112 | 60B | 104A | Ciaran Gethings | 15/2 |
| 14 Nov 23+31d | Lingfield | John & Paddy Sheehan Memorial Handicap Hurdle | 5/6 | 3¼ | 11-9 | 115 | 95B | 110B | David Noonan | 10/3 |
| 14 Oct 23+195d | Chepstow | Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow 4-Y-O Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (GBB Race) | 3/5 | 7 | 10-10 | 116 | 93C | 115B | David Noonan | 4/1 |
| 02 Apr 23+20d | Ascot | Royal Ascot Racing Club Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) | 12/13 | hd | 11-5 | 118 | 105B | 114A | David Noonan | 17/2 |
| 13 Mar 23+59d | Taunton | William Hill Cheltenham Epic Odds Junior 'National Hunt' Hurdle (GBB Race) | 1/9 | 11-7 | 115 | 107A | 139A | David Noonan | 6/4F | |
| 13 Jan 23+55d | Huntingdon | Weatherbys Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) | 3/7 | 5 | 11-0 | — | 78A | 122A | David Noonan | 8/1 |
| 2022 · 2 runs | ||||||||||
| 19 Nov 22+41d | Huntingdon | Watch Every Race On Racing TV Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) | 1/10 | 10-4 | — | 102B | 115A | David Noonan | 10/1 | |
| 09 Oct 22 | Ffos Las | Sytner BMW Swansea Junior 'National Hunt' Hurdle (GBB Race) | RO/5 | — | 10-7 | — | — | — | Mr Peter Summers | 7/2 |
Quick answers
- How many races has Despereaux won?
- Despereaux (FR) won 5 of 28 archived starts between 2022 and 2026, a strike rate of 17.9%. Placed 10 times in total (35.7% of starts).
- Who trains Despereaux?
- Despereaux (FR) is trained by Jane Williams, who saddled the horse on its most recent run on 6 May 2026.
- Who is Despereaux's sire?
- Despereaux (FR) is by Great Pretender (IRE) out of Rouvraie (FR), whose sire is Anabaa.
- What going does Despereaux prefer?
- Despereaux (FR) has the best record on good to soft going: 3 wins from 9 starts (33.3%). Only going bands with at least three archived starts are read, so this is a direction rather than a settled preference.
- What is Despereaux's official rating?
- The most recent official rating on record is 104, from the run on 6 May 2026. The highest on record is 118.
- What is Despereaux's sire's record?
- Great Pretender (IRE)'s progeny in our archive have won 13% of 3,548 runs since Mar 2010 (410 horses), Flat and jumps together. Strongest over 1m5f – 2m (all codes): 16.5% from 728. Weakest over 1m2f – 1m4f (all codes): 6.6% from 151.
- Who are Despereaux's siblings?
- Out of Rouvraie (FR), Despereaux (FR) has 6 other produce in our archive, 1 of them a winner. Most wins: Sassari (FR) (1). The wins came over 2m2f. As at Nov 2026.