KEVIN Blake and Nick Luck are two of the most familiar names in racing, and they are half of the four-strong team that owns the five-year-old mare Beset. She is trained by Joseph O’Brien, with whom Blake has built a strong association professionally and personally.

At the 2024 Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale, utilising the services of Blandford Bloodstock, Beset was purchased for 25,000gns. The Dunchurch Lodge Stud-owned and bred daughter of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Expert Eye (Acclamation) had just won a 12-furlong handicap on the all-weather for Henry Candy, and came from a smart female line. She appeared to be improving, and connections hoped she would continue to do so.