Horse profile
Special Protector (IRE)
by The Gurkha (IRE) out of Special Assignment (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid)
33 runs · 16 courses · from May 2021
As at 14 Oct 2026 · KTB archive: GB, Ireland & France · 2005–present, updated daily
No run recorded since 17 Aug 2025 — 423 days ago. Our archive can't say whether the horse is still in training.
Last run Aug 2025 · 7th of 9
Last raced off OR 72
KTB Profile
Special Protector is a maiden who won none of 33 starts and placed four times. Her best effort came when second of 17 at Galway in Oct 2023. She raced on turf and on all-weather, over trips from 1m to 3m, and on good to heavy ground. Aged 7 at her last run in Aug 2025, she finished 7 of 9 in the Heinz Pollmeier Memorial Handicap Chase at Tramore.
Based on 33 archived runs · run-style from 4 commented runs · updated 14 Oct 2026
KTB at a glance
OR ↓ 16lb off peak
- 0–33Wins / Runs
- 0%Strike rate
- 4 (12.1%)Placed
- −33.00£1 level staken=33 at SP
- 0.00Fair A/E n=33 · 0.00 incl. margin
- 88Highest 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 rating72↓ 16lb off peak
72
47–88
KTB Speed and Rating
KTB Speed
Best recent Speed 77
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.
Jumps
| Going | Runs | Best | Median | Since 14 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 7 | 99B | 77 | — |
| Soft | 7 | 95C | 81 | — |
| Distance | Runs | Best | Median | Since 14 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1m5f – 2m | 8 | 88A | 79 | — |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 6 | 99B | 79.5 | — |
Flat
| Going | Runs | Best | Median | Since 14 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 7 | 104C | 78 | — |
| Soft | 7 | 107C | 73 | — |
| Standard (AW) | 2 | 85B | 83.5 | — |
| Heavy | 2 | 85C | 83 | — |
| Distance | Runs | Best | Median | Since 14 Oct 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 9 | 107C | 85 | — |
| 1m – 1m1f | 7 | 104C | 72 | — |
| 1m5f – 2m | 2 | 101C | 83.5 | — |
Of 33 runs looked at, 1 has no figure: obstacles omitted — the race ran a shortened course (1).
KTB Speed v1 · batch 15 Sep 2026 · GB & Irish racing only · 32 figures from 33 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 4 analysed runs
- Held up 4 (100%) · 0 wins
Pedigree intelligence
Sire
Progeny in our archive have won 9.7% of 2,020 runs since Jan 2008 (127 horses).
Strongest on good to firm going: 13.7% from 183. Weakest on heavy going: 2.9% from 105. Weakest over 2m1f – 2m4f (all codes): 6.4% from 110.
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firm | 4 | 1 | 25% | +15.3 | — |
| Good to Firm | 183 | 25 | 13.7% | +4 | — |
| Good | 509 | 53 | 10.4% | +0.7 | 0 from 14 |
| Good to Soft | 209 | 21 | 10% | +0.3 | — |
| Soft | 321 | 23 | 7.2% | −2.5 | 0 from 15 |
| Heavy | 105 | 3 | 2.9% | −6.8 | 0 from 2 |
| Standard (AW) | 689 | 70 | 10.2% | +0.5 | 0 from 2 |
| Distance (all codes) | Runs | Wins | SR | vs sire | This horse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 6f | 43 | 5 | 11.6% | +1.9 | — |
| 6f – 7f | 448 | 48 | 10.7% | +1 | — |
| 1m – 1m1f | 536 | 49 | 9.1% | −0.6 | 0 from 7 |
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 563 | 51 | 9.1% | −0.6 | 0 from 9 |
| 1m5f – 2m | 297 | 32 | 10.8% | +1.1 | 0 from 10 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 110 | 7 | 6.4% | −3.3 | 0 from 6 |
| 2m5f – 3m | 22 | 4 | 18.2% | +8.5 | 0 from 1 |
| Over 3m | 1 | 0 | 0% | −9.7 | — |
Flat and jumps together (all codes) · since Jan 2008 · as at 14 Oct 2026 · rows under 30 runs muted · win % is the measure, a record not a forecast
Dam
Special Assignment (USA) (Lemon Drop Kid)
5 siblings in the archive, 0 winners.
| Produce | Runs | Wins | Win trips | Best grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Twilight War (IRE) | 2 | 0 | — | — |
| No Days Off (IRE) | 6 | 0 | — | — |
| Mo Emmad Ali (IRE) | 4 | 0 | — | — |
| Zorlu (IRE) | 17 | 0 | — | — |
| Speciale Di Giorno (IRE) | 4 | 0 | — | — |
Record by conditions
| Going | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft | 15 | 0 | 0% | −15.00 |
| Good | 14 | 0 | 0% | −14.00 |
| Standard (AW) | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Heavy | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Course | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gowran Park | 6 | 0 | 0% | −6.00 |
| Wexford | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| Navan | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| Tramore | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Clonmel | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Downpatrick | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Dundalk (AW) | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Bellewstown | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Leopardstown | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Sligo | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Down Royal | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Naas | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Galway | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Cork | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Thurles | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Killarney | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Distance | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1m5f – 2m | 10 | 0 | 0% | −10.00 |
| 1m2f – 1m4f | 9 | 0 | 0% | −9.00 |
| 1m – 1m1f | 7 | 0 | 0% | −7.00 |
| 2m1f – 2m4f | 6 | 0 | 0% | −6.00 |
| 2m5f – 3m | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Jockey | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gavin Ryan | 5 | 0 | 0% | −5.00 |
| Hugh Morgan | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Wayne Hassett | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Ronan Whelan | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Ambrose McCurtin | 3 | 0 | 0% | −3.00 |
| Cian Quirke | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Shane O'Callaghan | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Paddy Hanlon | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Phillip Enright | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Donagh Meyler | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Sean Bird | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Wesley Joyce | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| James Ryan | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Conor Brassil | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Mr D Doyle | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Sean D Bowen | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Cian MacRedmond | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| W J Lee | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Chris Hayes | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Headgear | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | 22 | 0 | 0% | −22.00 |
| Tongue tie + cheekpieces | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| Blinkers | 2 | 0 | 0% | −2.00 |
| Tongue tie + visor | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Tongue tie | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| HT | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Tongue tie + blinkers | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Cheekpieces | 1 | 0 | 0% | −1.00 |
| Season | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 0 | 0% | −5.00 |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 | 0% | −9.00 |
| 2023 | 10 | 0 | 0% | −10.00 |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 | 0% | −5.00 |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | 0% | −4.00 |
| Type | Runs | Wins | SR | £1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat | 18 | 0 | 0% | −18.00 |
| Hurdle | 13 | 0 | 0% | −13.00 |
| Chase | 2 | 0 | 0% | −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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Aug 25+25d | Tramore | Heinz Pollmeier Memorial Handicap Chase (0-100) Held up towards the back - improved into 6th before 3 out - lost place from there - eventually well held in 7th | 7/9 | 1¾ | 10-0 | 72 | 50A | 74A | Cian Quirke | 12/1 |
| 23 Jul 25+8d | Wexford | Wexford Racecourse Supporters Club Handicap Chase (0-100) Held up at back - lost more ground before the 6th - closed some space 2 out but found little on the run to the line | 8/12 | 2 | 9-9 | 72 | 77A | 75A | Shane O'Callaghan | 14/1 |
| 15 Jul 25+11d | Downpatrick | Download The Tote App Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-100) Settled towards the back of the pack - progress made 2 out then up to 5th but clipped last - driven out but no impression made through the finish | 6/10 | ½ | 9-10 | 72 | 72A | 74A | Shane O'Callaghan | 14/1 |
| 04 Jul 25+37d | Wexford | Clearwater Construction Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (Div 2) Settled in the pack early - 4th with 5 to jump - dropped to 5th and driven approaching 2 out - 6th before the last unable to threaten leaders - held on for no further gain late | 5/14 | 4¾ | 9-8 | 73 | 99B | 86A | Paddy Hanlon | 28/1 |
| 28 May 25+250d | Wexford | Fleadh Cheoil Wexford August 3rd - 10th Handicap Hurdle (0-100) (Div 2) Settled towards the back - hit the third and pushed along - made progress before 2 out then stayed on at one speed to finish 7th | 7/13 | 4½ | 10-3 | 75 | 87B | 77A | Phillip Enright | 28/1 |
| 20 Sep 24+21d | Downpatrick | Caleb & Ezra Starkey Handicap Hurdle (80-95) Sat close behind pace - 4th at halfway - 5th with 3 to jump - driven approaching the following fence then found little and dropped away before the last | 12/13 | 3¾ | 10-13 | 80 | 64C | 77C | Hugh Morgan | 16/1 |
| 30 Aug 24+12d | Wexford | visitwexford.ie Handicap Hurdle (80-95) (Div 1) Held up towards the back - hit a hurdle and pressed for effort 3 out - unable to close on leaders - well held in 9th | 9/14 | ¾ | 10-13 | 80 | 95C | 89A | Hugh Morgan | 14/1 |
| 18 Aug 24+45d | Tramore | Frank Gillane Memorial Handicap Hurdle (80-95) Towards the back of the pack - erred at the 1st and again at the 5th - hampered 4 out and jumped awkwardly at the following fence - pushed along in 6th before 2 out - finished 5th without ever threatening | 5/16 | 3¾ | 11-2 | 82 | 84B | 99A | Hugh Morgan | 16/1 |
| 04 Jul 24+34d | Bellewstown | Smiths Of Drogheda Ford Classic Handicap (47-65) (Div 2) | 6/13 | ¾ | 8-10 | 47 | 101C | 49A | Wayne Hassett | 14/1 |
| 31 May 24+14d | Tramore | Dunmore East Handicap Hurdle (80-95) | PU/15 | — | 11-6 | 85 | — | — | Donagh Meyler | 14/1 |
| 17 May 24+12d | Leopardstown | BoyleSports Daily Money Back Meetings Apprentice Handicap (47-65) | 8/21 | ¾ | 8-5 | 47 | 85C | 56A | Sean Bird | 22/1 |
| 05 May 24+72d | Sligo | Tote Now Online At Tote.ie Apprentice Handicap (47-65) | 9/14 | 1½ | 8-13 | 48 | 66C | 50C | Wesley Joyce | 11/1 |
| 23 Feb 24+31d | Dundalk (AW) | DundalkStadium.com Apprentice Handicap (47-65) | 4/14 | 2¼ | 9-0 | 48 | 85B | 62A | James Ryan | 33/1 |
| 23 Jan 24+40d | Down Royal | Pravha Handicap Hurdle (80-95) | 9/16 | 3½ | 11-1 | 87 | 42C | 85C | Conor Brassil | 20/1 |
| 14 Dec 23+45d | Naas | John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle (80-95) (Div 2) | 10/17 | nk | 11-11 | 88 | 67B | 95A | Mr D Doyle | 8/1 |
| 30 Oct 23+14d | Galway | Galway Races Summer Festival 2024 Handicap (47-65) (Div 1) | 2/17 | ½ | 8-5 | 47 | 85C | 63A | Wayne Hassett | 7/2 |
| 16 Oct 23+12d | Gowran Park | Paulstown Handicap (47-65) (Div 1) | 4/16 | 1¼ | 8-13 | 47 | 81C | 81A | Ronan Whelan | 10/3J |
| 04 Oct 23+27d | Navan | Yellow Furze Handicap (47-65) (Div 2) | 5/20 | nse | 8-13 | 48 | 85C | 72A | Ronan Whelan | 15/2 |
| 07 Sep 23+5d | Clonmel | St. Patrick's Well Handicap (47-65) | 2/13 | 3 | 8-5 | 47 | 78C | 67A | Sean D Bowen | 3/1F |
| 02 Sep 23+17d | Navan | Gormanlough Apprentice Handicap (47-65) (Div 2) | 3/18 | ¾ | 8-5 | 47 | 107C | 65A | Wayne Hassett | 11/1 |
| 16 Aug 23+167d | Gowran Park | BOYLESPORTS Supporting Irish Racing Handicap (47-65) (Div 1) | 4/15 | ¾ | 8-12 | 47 | 104C | 72A | Ronan Whelan | 25/1 |
| 02 Mar 23+14d | Clonmel | Fethard Maiden Hurdle | 7/10 | 1¾ | 11-5 | — | 88A | 90A | Ambrose McCurtin | 33/1 |
| 16 Feb 23+40d | Clonmel | Derrygrath Maiden Hurdle | 10/18 | 7 | 11-2 | — | 81C | 92C | Ambrose McCurtin | 200/1 |
| 07 Jan 23+37d | Cork | Happy New Year From All At Cork Maiden Hurdle | 10/19 | 22 | 11-2 | — | 83C | 90C | Ambrose McCurtin | 125/1 |
| 01 Dec 22+44d | Thurles | Racing Again December 18th Irish EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle | 11/15 | hd | 10-6 | — | 62C | 85C | Cian Quirke | 150/1 |
| 18 Oct 22+13d | Gowran Park | Racing Club Membership Handicap (47-65) (Div 2) | 7/15 | 4¼ | 8-7 | 47 | 58C | 43C | Cian MacRedmond | 33/1 |
| 05 Oct 22+12d | Navan | Yellow Furze Handicap (47-65) (Div 1) | 14/19 | 1½ | 8-12 | 47 | 73C | 53A | Gavin Ryan | 80/1 |
| 23 Sep 22+135d | Dundalk (AW) | William Hill Extra Places Every Day Handicap (47-65) (Div 1) | 10/14 | hd | 9-0 | 47 | 82B | 55A | W J Lee | 33/1 |
| 11 May 22+205d | Gowran Park | Save 33% Buying Tickets Online Handicap (47-70) (Div 2) | 7/16 | 1¾ | 8-7 | 47 | 72C | 53A | Chris Hayes | 66/1 |
| 18 Oct 21+97d | Gowran Park | Get A Run For Your Money With BetVictor Handicap (45-65) (Div 1) | 10/16 | hd | 9-2 | 48 | 30C | 45A | Gavin Ryan | 66/1 |
| 13 Jul 21+30d | Killarney | Muckross Maiden | 11/13 | 4½ | 9-2 | — | 64C | 43C | Gavin Ryan | 250/1 |
| 13 Jun 21+14d | Gowran Park | Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden | 11/14 | 4¾ | 9-2 | — | 65C | 44C | Gavin Ryan | 150/1 |
| 30 May 21 | Navan | Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden | 9/14 | 4½ | 9-2 | — | 100C | 59C | Gavin Ryan | 125/1 |
Quick answers
- How many races has Special Protector (IRE) won?
- Special Protector (IRE) has yet to win, from 33 archived starts between 2021 and 2025. Placed 4 times in total (12.1% of starts).
- Who trained Special Protector (IRE)?
- Special Protector (IRE) was trained by Eoin Doyle on the most recent run on record, at Tramore on 17 August 2025.
- Who is Special Protector (IRE)'s sire?
- Special Protector (IRE) is by The Gurkha (IRE) out of Special Assignment (USA), whose sire is Lemon Drop Kid.
- What is Special Protector (IRE)'s official rating?
- The most recent official rating on record is 72, from the run on 17 August 2025. The highest on record is 88.
- What is Special Protector (IRE)'s sire's record?
- The Gurkha (IRE)'s progeny in our archive have won 9.7% of 2,020 runs since Jan 2008 (127 horses), Flat and jumps together. Strongest on good to firm going: 13.7% from 183. Weakest on heavy going: 2.9% from 105. Weakest over 2m1f – 2m4f (all codes): 6.4% from 110.
- Who are Special Protector (IRE)'s siblings?
- Out of Special Assignment (USA), Special Protector (IRE) has 5 other produce in our archive, 0 of them winners. As at Oct 2026.