Racing has the bad habit of undervaluing consistency at the highest level. Yes, City Of Troy largely sparked Flat’s season as a champion two-year-old who trained well as a three-year-old. A Breeders’ Cup Classic match ended in failure in California last week, but his success at the Juddmonte International was arguably the most dazzling performance of the Flat season.

But has he been the best horse of the 2024-25 campaign? He bounced back from the 2,000 Guineas disaster to win a regular Derby. He scored a victory at the Eclipse, then produced a dazzling display at York, but withdrew meekly when it went wrong in the dirt.

Aidan O’Brien says he’s the best they’ve ever had. The numbers and the shape do not agree. It is suspected that City Of Troy embarked on his stallion duties without the racing public actually knowing how high the ceiling was. Frankel remained in training at the age of four and stamped his authority on the game as a top-class juvenile, a brilliant three-year-old and a conquering four-year-old in company. He did everything without problem. The same cannot be said of City Of Troy, which falls into the very good but not great category.

So who was the best horse this season? Bluestocking’s success at the Arc was a rich reward for his consistency at the highest level for Ralph Beckett. Charyn has been on the move since March and has improved admirably to become the dominant force in a weak mile division, but even he has been beaten.

The honor must go to Kyprios. A brilliant stayer who has won all seven of his races this season. The six-year-old is O’Brien’s most Group 1 winner and, considering the number of quality horses he has trained over the decades, that is a remarkable achievement. It was even more remarkable when Kyprios’ life was at stake after the joint capsule of his anterior fetlock became infected.

Kyprios wins 2022 Saval Beg at Leopardstown before serious injury

The brilliant stay in splendid isolation as the six-year-old returns home during the Goodwood Cup

Kyprios (far left) breaks clear to win the Long Distance Cup at Ascot last month

The injury can result in complete loss of use of the limb and so there was a very real possibility that the horse would not come out the other side. The 2022-23 season was technically a loss. He finished second twice late last year as he returned to fitness after 11 months off the track.

On regaining his Ascot Gold Cup crown in June, O’Brien said his comeback was “a million to one”.

The coach added: “It’s almost impossible to come back from what he came back from. “At one point we weren’t sure he would survive, but then he came back and we had to teach him to walk and put him on a treadmill.

“Then we had to teach him to trot and gallop, this was before a rider came near him.

“It was like someone suffering the most horrific injury, a human being, and going from winning the Olympics to learning how to move and walk and then getting back to the highest level.

“It shouldn’t have happened, I don’t know how it happened. I think it was because of all the people around him who did so much, day in and day out, and were so committed. All the everyone put it first.

“I’ve never experienced anything within 100 miles of it. He contracted an infection in his joint and it entered his joint capsule. Usually what happens next is they lose movement in the joint – and for a while it did, but it came back.

“It shouldn’t have happened to come back like that, but it happened. Nothing is impossible.

This year he won the Vintage Crop at Navan in April, the Saval Beg at Leopardstown was a penalty, the Gold Cup in June was the only time in 2024 where he has defied all odds but triumphed with minimal rumor, in July he won the title. Goodwood Cup, in September he regained his Irish St Leger title, in October he defended his Cadran crown in Paris and two weeks later he won the British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

Bluestocking won the Arc de Longchamp, a rich reward for its consistency this season.

He came back from the brink, danced all the dances, dominated his division and produced 120-rated performances with stunning consistency. He plays on all types of terrain, is tactically versatile and exudes class. His longevity at the top is extraordinary. Like all the best stays, it takes care of itself. Actually just enough. That’s why you see him winning by a few lengths.

And Kyprios will be back next season at seven. The same plan was developed with the aim of winning three Gold Cups. Let’s not lose sight of his genius because he can seem predictable and others are younger and flashier. Winning is never boring and no equine star does it better than Kyprios.

A.USSELL WELCOMES 1,000TH CAREER SUCCESS

The milestones continue to pile up for Lucinda Russell. The Perthshire-based trainer goes from strength to strength and she trained her 1,000th winner at Kelso on Saturday.

Russell started training in 1995 but his stock has never been higher than it is today. A double Grand National winner, she now has 100 horses in her stable and the partnership with Michael Scudamore has broadened her base. The quality of the Russell stable continues to improve and they have passed the £1 million mark for the second season in a row.

Maintaining this upward trajectory to the upper echelon of the show jumping game is now the challenge for Russell. Alongside partner Peter Scudamore, strength lies in recruiting and attracting a growing pool of loyal owners. Expectations are rising, but Russell is meeting them head on and more winners are sure to come.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK…

Dry weather led to reduced fields and a false start to kick off the jumping season. Top trainer Paul Nicholls had a good day at his local hunting ground of Wincanton, but the show was stolen by an extraordinary forward display of AL DANCER in the Badger Beer Handicap Race. Under 7lb contender Callum Pritchard, the 11-year-old set and surprisingly maintained a relentless pace in front for three miles and a furlong to win by 10 lengths at 25-1 for trainer Sam Thomas.

SELECTIONS OF THE DAY…

Three worthy of consideration in a good jump card at Sandown. VINCENZO (10-3, bet365) shaped as if he needed the race when third in the Persian War at Chepstow on his reappearance and a score of 126 looks indulgent and conditional top jockey Patrick Wadge adds further confidence in the opener (12.30 p.m. ).

Harry Fry Coach Rates ANNO POWER (6-4, William Hill) highly and could rank highly in the Mares Novices’ Hurdle division. It’s a warm little race to make his debut over hurdles (1.40) against the boys, but his exceptional form reads well. Provided she relaxes and is fit enough when she respawns, she should deliver the goods.

Copperhead has been bumping up the weights in veterans pursuing company and the weight pull combined with the Sandown stiff jump test can help GOOD BOY BOBBY (9-4, Paddy Power) reverse the Chepstow form. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ 11-year-old won this contest (3.25) last year and can compete again in this four-runner series.