NAVAL TRIBUTE

We are delighted to have secured Naval Tribute from the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale, and he will remain in training with James Owen, who has enjoyed a fantastic season with him.

Before the sale, we asked James a very simple question: “If you could keep just one horse from the entire sale, which would it be?” His answer was Naval Tribute. That was a huge vote of confidence from a trainer who knows this horse better than anybody, and it made us even more determined to bring him into the Nick Bradley Racing team.

Naval Tribute has enjoyed a tremendous 2026, winning four of his ten starts on the Flat, including impressive victories at Beverley, Newbury and Kempton. He also ran an excellent race to finish second at Ascot in May. His improvement throughout the season has been remarkable, progressing from an opening handicap mark of 68 into the mid-80s, and we firmly believe there is more to come.

Despite his victories been impressive, its the manor of his wins that make him really attractive for Nick Bradley Racing. He sat last at Kempton and quickened nicely off a slow pace (110% FS) which meant he not only had to quicken to get to the leaders, but also quicken again to get past them.

One of the most exciting aspects of this purchase is the programme we have in mind for him. We have spent a considerable amount of time analysing handicap races at the major racecourses, particularly Chester, York and Ascot. Our research has highlighted that handicaps over 12 furlongs and further, particularly those catering for horses rated between 80 and 95, tend to attract some of the smallest fields.

We believe this presents a fantastic opportunity to target valuable handicaps at some of the country's biggest meetings, with Naval Tribute fitting the profile of exactly the type of horse we have been looking to purchase.

He is a horse who appreciates fast ground, which makes the summer turf programme particularly appealing. He has already demonstrated his effectiveness over a variety of staying distances, and being by the outstanding Sea The Stars, there is certainly plenty to like about both his pedigree and his racing profile.

Despite being five years old, he remains relatively lightly raced, having made just ten starts on the Flat. James is confident there is further improvement in him, and we share that opinion.

Having been on the go since January, Naval Tribute will now enjoy a well-earned break before returning to training ahead of the start of the 2027 turf season. There is absolutely no need to rush him, and our aim is to have a fresh horse ready to compete throughout the spring and summer.

Four wins in 2026, a trainer who was desperate to keep him, and a carefully researched programme of valuable handicaps ahead of him.

We think Naval Tribute is a really exciting addition to the team and a horse who could give his owners some fantastic days out at the major racecourses in 2027.