Royal Approval (IRE)
Royal Approval is 3 from 12 with all wins at Newcastle over 1m2f – 1m4f on standard going. The gelding won a Class 5 novice in Dec 2024, a Class 4 handicap in Feb 2025 and a Class 2 handicap in Jun 2025, all on the all-weather. He has 0 wins from 7 starts on turf. Aged 5 at his last run in Jul 2026 at Tramore he finished 6 of 6 in a claiming race, his first start in headgear.
- 3–12Wins / Runs
- 25%Strike rate
- 3 (25%)Placed
- +7.50£1 level staken=12 at SP
- 2.09Fair A/E n=12 · 1.76 incl. margin
- 86Highest OR
- 68dAvg 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.
KTB Speed and Rating
Best recent Speed 134
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 →
| Going | Runs | Best | Median | Since 25 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (AW) | 5 | 117A | 87 | — |
| Good | 3 | 92C | 91 | 1 run · — |
| Good to Soft | 1 | — | — | — |
| Distance | Runs | Best | Median | Since 25 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 9 | 117A | 88 | 1 run · — |
| Going | Runs | Best | Median | Since 25 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good to Soft | 1 | — | — | — |
| Soft | 1 | — | — | — |
| Distance | Runs | Best | Median | Since 25 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1m5f – 2m | 2 | 134B | 107.5 | — |
Of 12 runs looked at, 1 has no figure: did not complete (1).
KTB Speed v1 · batch 15 Sep 2026 · GB & Irish racing only · 11 figures from 12 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 Dec 2024
- Mid-division 5 (45%) · 3 wins
- Prominent 4 (36%) · 0 wins
- Held up 2 (18%) · 0 wins
Pedigree intelligence
Progeny in our archive have won 11.6% of 1,794 runs since Jan 2008 (233 horses).
Strongest on heavy going: 16.3% from 104. Strongest over 1m5f – 2m (all codes): 16.2% from 265.
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good to Firm | 230 | 26 | 11.3% | −0.3 | — |
| Good | 415 | 48 | 11.6% | 0 | 0 from 3 |
| Good to Soft | 216 | 32 | 14.8% | +3.2 | 0 from 3 |
| Soft | 252 | 28 | 11.1% | −0.5 | 0 from 1 |
| Heavy | 104 | 17 | 16.3% | +4.7 | — |
| Standard (AW) | 577 | 57 | 9.9% | −1.7 | 3 from 5 |
| Distance (all codes) | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6f | 47 | 6 | 12.8% | +1.2 | — |
| 6f – 7f | 380 | 33 | 8.7% | −2.9 | — |
| 1m – 1m1f | 430 | 41 | 9.5% | −2.1 | — |
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 611 | 73 | 11.9% | +0.3 | 3 from 9 |
| 1m5f – 2m | 265 | 43 | 16.2% | +4.6 | 0 from 2 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 54 | 9 | 16.7% | +5.1 | 0 from 1 |
| 2m5f – 3m | 7 | 3 | 42.9% | +31.3 | — |
Flat and jumps together (all codes) · since Jan 2008 · as at 25 Oct 2026 · rows under 30 runs muted · win % is the measure, a record not a forecast
2 siblings in the archive, 1 winner — best of them Numoor (GB) (1 win).
The wins came over 7f; the highest grade won is Class 5 (Numoor (GB)).
| Produce | Runs | Wins | Win trips | Best grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numoor (GB) | 27 | 1 | 7f | Class 5 |
| Love Mocha (GB) | 13 | 0 | — | — |
Record by conditions
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (AW) | 5 | 3 | 60% | +14.50 |
| Good | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Good to Soft | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Soft | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Class | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 2 | 3 | 1 | 33% | +6.50 |
| Class 3 | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Class 5 | 2 | 1 | 50% | +1.50 |
| Class 4 | 1 | 1 | 100% | +5.50 |
| Course | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle (AW) | 4 | 3 | 75% | +15.50 |
| Tramore | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Listowel | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Limerick | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Navan | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Newbury | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Doncaster | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Lingfield (AW) | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Sandown | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Distance | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 9 | 3 | 33% | +10.50 |
| 1m5f – 2m | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oisin Murphy | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Jason Watson | 3 | 2 | 67% | +7.00 |
| Leigh Roche | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Ricky Doyle | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Sam Ewing | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Jack Kennedy | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| P J McDonald | 1 | 1 | 100% | +8.50 |
| Paul Mulrennan | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Headgear | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | 10 | 2 | 20% | +0.00 |
| Cheekpieces | 2 | 1 | 50% | +7.50 |
| Season | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| 2025 | 8 | 2 | 25% | +8.00 |
| 2024 | 2 | 1 | 50% | +1.50 |
| Type | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat | 9 | 3 | 33% | +10.50 |
| Hurdle | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
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 · 2 runs | ||||||||||
| 07 Jul 26+38d | Tramore | Follow Tote On X Claiming Race Sat behind the pacesetter - improved to challenge for the front after 4f - went in front after 7f - driven and overtaken over 2f out - faded fast over 1f out and never posed a threat | 6/6 | ¾ | 9-6 | 86 | 77A | 66B | Leigh Roche | 17/2 |
| 30 May 26+224d | Listowel | Eamon Foran Memorial Maiden Hurdle Settled just behind the pace early - fighting for control - sixth at the midpoint - urged forward when pace eased four out - lost ground before being eased to a halt approaching two out | PU/9 | — | 11-12 | — | — | — | Ricky Doyle | 13/2 |
| 2025 · 8 runs | ||||||||||
| 18 Oct 25+28d | Limerick | Limerick Show Maiden Hurdle Sat close to the front group early - 6th at halfway then driven into 5th nearing 2 out - held no more in reserve and stayed on same gear from the last | 5/16 | 3¾ | 11-7 | — | 134B | 112A | Sam Ewing | 20/1 |
| 20 Sep 25+86d | Navan | Bet XS Maiden Hurdle Sat close to the pace early - hint of a stumble 4th - moved into second 3 out - hit the front for a moment 2 out before being passed - slipped back to 5th approaching the last - unable to threaten again finishing sixth | 6/16 | 3¾ | 11-10 | — | 81B | 109A | Jack Kennedy | 5/1 |
| 26 Jun 25+41d | Newcastle (AW) | JenningsBet In Belmont Handicap (GBBPlus Race) Held a midfield spot early - made smooth progress from over 2f out then urged into 4th approaching the final furlong - hit the front around 110 yards from home edging left - stayed on to win | 1/11 | 8-9 | 83 | 117A | 84A | P J McDonald | 17/2 | |
| 16 May 25+47d | Newbury | Titan Wealth Handicap (GBBPlus Race) Held up at the back throughout - never a threat - finished well held in 11th | 11/14 | 2¼ | 9-5 | 84 | 92C | 71A | Oisin Murphy | 9/1 |
| 30 Mar 25+30d | Doncaster | Weekend Winners On Sky Sports Racing Handicap (GBB Plus Race) Held a spot in the pack early - improved into contention 2f out and briefly hit second before drifting left under pressure a furlong out - then slipped back and weakened to finish ninth beaten 5 lengths | 9/16 | shd | 9-1 | 85 | 91C | 84A | Oisin Murphy | 12/1 |
| 28 Feb 25+20d | Lingfield (AW) | BetUK AWC Middle Distance Trial Handicap (GBB Plus Race) Sluggish start - settled in the pack before tight quarters approaching 2f out - dropped away over 1f out to finish 11th | 11/12 | nse | 8-12 | 85 | 87A | 68A | Jason Watson | 25/1 |
| 08 Feb 25+31d | Newcastle (AW) | Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Handicap (GBB Plus Race) Settled midfield towards the wide side - travelling strongly with two furlongs to run - pushed into the front approaching the final furlong and edged left as daylight opened up - kept finding under pressure to the line - prevailed by the barest of margins | 1/7 | 9-9 | 82 | 27A | 84A | Jason Watson | 11/2 | |
| 08 Jan 25+27d | Newcastle (AW) | Extra Winnings With BetUK Acca Club Novice Stakes Settled in the pack early - fighting for control under a strong grip - made progress into contention 5f out - pushed along with 2f left before fading to finish sixth | 6/7 | 4¼ | 9-11 | — | 79C | 65C | Paul Mulrennan | 13/8 |
| 2024 · 2 runs | ||||||||||
| 12 Dec 24+180d | Newcastle (AW) | Gamble Responsibly At BetUK Novice Stakes (GBB Race) Held a midpack spot on the rail - moved through drifting left to hit the front inside the final furlong - kept drifting left but stayed clear to the line | 1/12 | 9-5 | — | 101A | 86A | Jason Watson | 5/2 | |
| 15 Jun 24 | Sandown | Darley British Ebf Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) | 8/13 | 2½ | 9-3 | — | 88C | 69A | Oisin Murphy | 8/1 |
Quick answers
- How many races has Royal Approval won?
- Royal Approval (IRE) won 3 of 12 archived starts between 2024 and 2026, a strike rate of 25%. Placed 3 times in total (25% of starts).
- Who trains Royal Approval?
- Royal Approval (IRE) is trained by Gordon Elliott, who saddled the horse on its most recent run on 7 July 2026.
- Who is Royal Approval's sire?
- Royal Approval (IRE) is by Cracksman (GB) out of Nabaraat (USA), whose sire is War Front.
- What going does Royal Approval prefer?
- Royal Approval (IRE) has the best record on standard (aw) going: 3 wins from 5 starts (60%). Only going bands with at least three archived starts are read, so this is a direction rather than a settled preference.
- What is Royal Approval's official rating?
- The most recent official rating on record is 86, from the run on 7 July 2026. That is also the highest on record.
- What is Royal Approval's sire's record?
- Cracksman (GB)'s progeny in our archive have won 11.6% of 1,794 runs since Jan 2008 (233 horses), Flat and jumps together. Strongest on heavy going: 16.3% from 104. Strongest over 1m5f – 2m (all codes): 16.2% from 265.
- Who are Royal Approval's siblings?
- Out of Nabaraat (USA), Royal Approval (IRE) has 2 other produce in our archive, 1 of them a winner. Most wins: Numoor (GB) (1). Highest grade won: Class 5 (Numoor (GB)). The wins came over 7f. As at Oct 2026.