Zavateri stars in a season to remember

FOR Eve Johnson Houghton, 2025 has been a stellar one in her training year, breaking through the £1million prize-money barrier and winning her second Group One event.

- By NICK ROBSON, PA

Zavateri, ridden by Charles Bishop, comes home to win the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at Curragh Racecourse, in September

(EVAN TREACY)

That success came in Ireland courtesy of her teak-tough juvenile Zavateri, who took on the might of Aidan O'Brien at the Curragh in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes and came away victorious.

Having already won the July Stakes at Newmarket, and the Vintage at Goodwood, at that stage of the season the Mick and Janice Mariscotti-owned Zavateri was undoubtedly top of the charts.

Tradition dictates, however, that the champion two-year-old is more often than not crowned by winning the Dewhurst, and being unbeaten in four who could blame connections for going to the well once more.

While Zavateri lost his unblemished record at Newmarket behind surprise winner Gewan, he was only beaten three lengths with his trainer convinced a combination of fast ground and the undulating track contributed to his defeat.

It has not dampened enthusiasm for those closest to him, though, and Classic dreams are still being had - but whether that is at Newmarket or somewhere else will not be decided until the spring.