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Horse profile

Empire Steel (IRE)

12yo gelding · Trainer Sandy Thomson · Owner Alan Wight
by Aizavoski (IRE) out of Talk Of Rain (FR) (Turgeon)
25 runs · 9 courses · from Dec 2019
As at 8 Nov 2026 · KTB archive: GB, Ireland & France · 2005–present, updated daily
6 wins · Kelso, Ayr & Carlisle Last run 8 Mar 2026 · 5th of 5 Last raced off OR 128
KTB Profile

Empire Steel won six of 25 starts on turf including a Listed race. His biggest win came in the bet365 Premier Chase a Listed event at Kelso in Mar 2023. Four of those wins were at Kelso over 2m5f – 3m on Soft or Heavy ground. He last ran at Carlisle in Mar 2026 when fifth of five in a Class 2 handicap chase off an official rating of 128 which was 18lb below his highest ever mark.

Based on 25 archived runs · run-style from 5 commented runs since Dec 2024 · updated 8 Nov 2026
KTB at a glance OR ↓ 18lb off peak
Official rating128↓ 18lb off peak
128 120–146

KTB Speed and Rating

KTB Speed

Best recent Speed 79 the best of the last 3 graded (A or B) runs · Musselburgh, 31 Jan 2026

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 18 figures · best 120C · median 90
GoingRunsBestMedianSince 8 Nov 2025
Soft7114A101—
Good to Soft6116C83.52 runs · 116 / 97.5
Heavy3120C961 run · —
Good291B90—
DistanceRunsBestMedianSince 8 Nov 2025
2m5f – 3m11120C883 runs · 116 / 80
Over 3m5114A89—
2m1f – 2m4f2102A100—

Of 25 runs looked at, 7 have no figure: obstacles omitted — the race ran a shortened course (5) · did not complete (2).

KTB Speed v1 · batch 15 Sep 2026 · GB & Irish racing only · 18 figures from 25 runs · as at 3 Oct 2026 · a record, not a forecast

KTB Rating

Best recent KTB Rating 127A the best of the last 3 rated runs · Musselburgh, 31 Jan 2026 Official rating 128 at the last run, 8 Mar 2026

What the horse achieved in each race, in pounds on the official-rating scale, from the weight carried, the lengths beaten and the race's own level solved across the archive — never the market, never the official rating as a starting point. The headline is the best of the horse's last three rated runs on that code — its best recent day. The KTB Rating on a racecard is a different reading of the same figures: the level the horse has been running to, an average of up to its last six runs with the latest counting most, so the two can differ. A, B or C on a run is how much known form was in that race. What this means →

Jumps 21 figures · best 149C · median 129
GoingRunsBestMedianSince 8 Nov 2025
Soft8149C129.5—
Good to Soft6137B1282 runs · 127 / 117.5
Heavy4146B1221 run · —
Good3136B126—
DistanceRunsBestMedianSince 8 Nov 2025
2m5f – 3m12149C1263 runs · 127 / 109
Over 3m7136B129—
2m1f – 2m4f2138B134.5—

Of 25 runs looked at, 4 have no figure: did not complete (or a non-runner row) (4).

KTB Rating v1 · batch 3 Oct 2026 · GB & Irish racing only · 21 figures from 25 runs · as at 4 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 5 analysed runs since Dec 2024

  • Prominent 2 (40%) · 0 wins
  • Mid-division 2 (40%) · 0 wins
  • Held up 1 (20%) · 0 wins

Pedigree intelligence

Sire

Progeny in our archive have won 12.8% of 743 runs since Apr 2018 (60 horses).

Strongest over 2m5f – 3m (all codes): 17.7% from 141.

GoingRunsWinsSRvs sireThis horse
Good to Firm7342.9%+30.1—
Good2714014.8%+20 from 3
Good to Soft1441510.4%−2.41 from 8
Soft2312812.1%−0.74 from 10
Heavy86910.5%−2.31 from 4
Standard (AW)400%−12.8—
Distance (all codes)RunsWinsSRvs sireThis horse
1m – 1m1f100%−12.8—
1m2f – 1m4f600%−12.8—
1m5f – 2m2953712.5%−0.3—
2m1f – 2m4f2623111.8%−11 from 2
2m5f – 3m1412517.7%+4.94 from 14
Over 3m3825.3%−7.51 from 9

Flat and jumps together (all codes) · since Apr 2018 · as at 7 Nov 2026 · rows under 30 runs muted · win % is the measure, a record not a forecast

Dam
Talk Of Rain (FR) (Turgeon)

6 siblings in the archive, 4 winners — best of them Hes A Hardy Bloke (IRE) (3 wins).

The wins came over 2m–3m; the highest grade won is Class 4 (Captainofindustry (IRE)).

ProduceRunsWinsWin tripsBest grade
Hes A Hardy Bloke (IRE)1332m–2m½f—
Captainofindustry (IRE)1732m3f–3mClass 4
Talkofgold (IRE)1632m4f–2m5½fClass 4
Talkingthetalk (IRE)1722m4f–3mClass 4
Leopards Leap (IRE)70——
Kalineeta (IRE)30——

Record by conditions

GoingRunsWinsSR£1
Soft 10 4 40% +7.00
Good to Soft 8 1 13% −3.00
Heavy 4 1 25% +0.50
Good 3 0 0% −3.00

ClassRunsWinsSR£1
Class 2 12 2 17% −4.50
Class 1 7 1 14% −2.00
Class 3 3 1 33% +2.00
Class 4 3 2 67% +6.00

CourseRunsWinsSR£1
Kelso 7 4 57% +10.50
Aintree 4 0 0% −4.00
Ayr 4 1 25% −0.50
Haydock 3 0 0% −3.00
Carlisle 2 1 50% +3.50
Wetherby 2 0 0% −2.00
Musselburgh 1 0 0% −1.00
Market Rasen 1 0 0% −1.00
Sandown 1 0 0% −1.00

DistanceRunsWinsSR£1
2m5f – 3m 14 4 29% +3.50
Over 3m 9 1 11% −3.50
2m1f – 2m4f 2 1 50% +1.50

JockeyRunsWinsSR£1
Ryan Mania 21 6 29% +5.50
Brian Hughes 2 0 0% −2.00
Charlie Maggs 2 0 0% −2.00

SeasonRunsWinsSR£1
2026 3 0 0% −3.00
2025 1 0 0% −1.00
2024 4 1 25% −1.00
2023 5 1 20% +0.00
2022 4 1 25% +0.50
2021 4 1 25% +1.00
2020 3 1 33% +0.50
2019 1 1 100% +4.50

TypeRunsWinsSR£1
Chase 23 5 22% −2.00
Hurdle 2 1 50% +3.50

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

DateCourseRace PosBtn Wgt ORSpdKTB Jockey SP
2026 · 3 runs
08 Mar 26+23d Carlisle First Past The Post At CopyBet Veterans' Handicap Chase Class 2 · 3m½f · Good To Soft · 5 ran Up with the front group early - fell back to last by the 10th and labouring - hard pressed soon after and finished a remote 5th 5/5 13 11-3 128116C108C Brian Hughes 13/2
13 Feb 26+13d Kelso Racing's Best Ratings With Timeform Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 2 · 2m7½f · Heavy · 6 ran Settled towards the back early - pushed along before 4 out - dropped away before 2 out - finished 5th 5/6 9 11-0 13380C109C Charlie Maggs 11/2
31 Jan 26+379d Musselburgh Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 3 · 2m7½f · Good To Soft · 7 ran Settled in the pack - driven approaching 3 out - blundered 2 out then dropped away after the last 4/7 4½ 11-9 13579B127A Charlie Maggs 33/1
2025 · 1 run
17 Jan 25+44d Market Rasen Unibet Veterans' Handicap Chase (2024 Veterans' Chase Series Final) Class 2 · 3m · Good To Soft · 8 ran Settled among the midfield group - stumbled and dropped back 10th - fell away after 12th and eased up before last PU/8 — 11-3 142—— Ryan Mania 5/1
2024 · 4 runs
04 Dec 24+201d Haydock trustatrader.com Veterans' Handicap Chase Class 2 · 3m1½f · Soft · 7 ran Settled handy early - tracking the front group by the 5th - dropped back at the 8th - driven up approaching 3 out to move into third by 2 out - kept going without finding extra to finish third 3/7 3¼ 12-0 14379B129B Ryan Mania 13/2
17 May 24+35d Aintree Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 2 · 3m1f · Good · 8 ran 4/8 7 12-0 144—123B Ryan Mania 11/2
12 Apr 24+56d Aintree Randox Supports Race Against Dementia Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Class 1 · 2m5f · Soft · 24 ran 9/24 8½ 11-4 14549B124A Ryan Mania 28/1
16 Feb 24+52d Kelso Racing's Best Ratings With Timeform Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 2 · 2m5½f · Soft · 5 ran 1/5 11-10 142101C145C Ryan Mania 2/1F
2023 · 5 runs
26 Dec 23+59d Wetherby William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Class 1 · 3m · Soft · 6 ran 2/6 14 11-2 14386A125C Ryan Mania 7/2
28 Oct 23+189d Kelso Edinburgh Gin Chase (Limited Handicap) (GBB Race) Class 2 · 3m2f · Soft · 6 ran 3/6 2¼ 10-10 143114A130B Ryan Mania 9/4F
22 Apr 23+49d Ayr Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Class 1 · 4m · Good · 18 ran 8/18 3 11-5 14591B126A Ryan Mania 22/1
04 Mar 23+28d Kelso bet365 Premier Chase (Listed) (GBB Race) Class 1 · 2m7½f · Good To Soft · 4 ran 1/4 11-2 14188C137B Ryan Mania 4/1
04 Feb 23+63d Sandown Virgin Bet Masters Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 2 · 3m · Good To Soft · 12 ran 10/12 1¾ 12-0 14376A112A Ryan Mania 5/1
2022 · 4 runs
03 Dec 22+252d Aintree BoyleSports Daily Money Back 2nd Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 2 · 2m4f · Good To Soft · 13 ran 7/13 1½ 12-0 14598B131A Ryan Mania 20/1
26 Mar 22+36d Kelso Paxtons For Kverneland In The Borders Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 2 · 3m2f · Good · 4 ran 2/4 ¾ 11-11 14689C136B Ryan Mania 5/4F
18 Feb 22+27d Kelso Racing's Best Ratings With Timeform Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 2 · 2m5½f · Heavy · 6 ran 1/6 11-6 13996A146B Ryan Mania 7/2
22 Jan 22+27d Haydock Peter Marsh Handicap Chase (Grade 2 Limited Handicap) (GBB Race) Class 1 · 3m1½f · Soft · 10 ran PU/10 — 10-4 140—— Brian Hughes 4/1
2021 · 4 runs
26 Dec 21+36d Wetherby William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) Class 1 · 3m · Soft · 9 ran F/9 — 11-3 141—— Ryan Mania 4/1
20 Nov 21+225d Haydock My Odds Boost On Betfair Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 2 · 3m1½f · Good To Soft · 7 ran 2/7 1½ 11-9 14064A129B Ryan Mania 11/4
09 Apr 21+49d Aintree Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Class 1 · 3m1f · Good To Soft · 7 ran PU/7 — 11-4 140—— Ryan Mania 12/1
19 Feb 21+81d Kelso Cheltenham Gold At timeform.com Novices' Chase (GBB Race) Class 3 · 2m7½f · Soft · 3 ran 1/3 11-4 135110C149C Ryan Mania 4/1
2020 · 3 runs
30 Nov 20+35d Ayr William Hill Extra Places Every Day Novices' Chase (GBB Race) Class 3 · 3m · Heavy · 6 ran 2/6 nk 11-4 130—131B Ryan Mania 11/10F
26 Oct 20+281d Ayr Winter Breaks At Western House Hotel Novices' Handicap Chase (GBB Race) Class 4 · 2m4½f · Soft · 11 ran 1/11 11-12 120102A138B Ryan Mania 5/2F
19 Jan 20+35d Ayr Racing TV Free For A Month Novices' Hurdle Class 4 · 3m½f · Heavy · 7 ran 3/7 19 11-4 —120C113B Ryan Mania 9/4
2019 · 1 run
15 Dec 19 Carlisle Racingtv.com Maiden Hurdle Class 4 · 3m1f · Soft · 7 ran 1/7 11-2 ——126B Ryan Mania 9/2

Quick answers

How many races has Empire Steel won?
Empire Steel (IRE) won 6 of 25 archived starts between 2019 and 2026, a strike rate of 24%. Placed 9 times in total (36% of starts).
Who trains Empire Steel?
Empire Steel (IRE) is trained by Sandy Thomson, who saddled the horse on its most recent run on 8 March 2026.
Who is Empire Steel's sire?
Empire Steel (IRE) is by Aizavoski (IRE) out of Talk Of Rain (FR), whose sire is Turgeon.
What going does Empire Steel prefer?
Empire Steel (IRE) has the best record on soft going: 4 wins from 10 starts (40%). Only going bands with at least three archived starts are read, so this is a direction rather than a settled preference.
What is Empire Steel's official rating?
The most recent official rating on record is 128, from the run on 8 March 2026. The highest on record is 146.
What is Empire Steel's sire's record?
Aizavoski (IRE)'s progeny in our archive have won 12.8% of 743 runs since Apr 2018 (60 horses), Flat and jumps together. Strongest over 2m5f – 3m (all codes): 17.7% from 141.
Who are Empire Steel's siblings?
Out of Talk Of Rain (FR), Empire Steel (IRE) has 6 other produce in our archive, 4 of them winners. Most wins: Hes A Hardy Bloke (IRE) (3). Highest grade won: Class 4 (Captainofindustry (IRE)). The wins came over 2m–3m. As at Nov 2026.

Record shown from December 2019. Our archive holds racing in Great Britain, Ireland and France from January 2005. Any runs before that, or in other countries, are not in it. In-running comments are available from 2024 onward.