Ger Lyons’ Flat squad for 2025

Ger Lyons is one of Ireland’s most gifted trainers and probably doesn’t have the profile that he deserves. He had a solid campaign last season, with 67 winners from his 324 runners and a strike-rate of 21 per cent.

The County Meath-based handler amassed €1,797,830 in prize-money last term and finished fourth in the trainers’ championship. Obviously he will be hoping to improve on that in 2025 and he currently sits in fourth spot with nine winners.

Here we pick out five of his most exciting horses who could be worth adding to your trackers for the current season, including a Group 1-winning filly.

Red Letter

This filly wasn’t far from the top of the tree as a juvenile last term and she was beaten twice by multiple Group 1 winner Lake Victoria either side of a facile maiden success at the Curragh in July.

She began her career at the Curragh in June and could be considered an unlucky loser that day. Getting a troubled passage through the race, she made up ground quickly after getting a run and only just failed to catch Lake Victoria.

The daughter of Frankel was very impressive when going one better over the same course and distance next time and the form has worked out fairly well, as the third and fourth have won since, one of whom was victorious in Group 3 company.

Finishing fourth in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes after that, she didn’t quite have the pace to threaten, but stuck to her task well and ran with huge credit. It is possible she needed the run when seventh in the 1,000 Guineas, and perhaps a step up in trip could help.

Babouche

Babouche immediately looked like a smart filly, as she won a 6f maiden by five lengths on debut. It’s rare to win by that far over such a trip and she subsequently followed up in Group 3 company at the Curragh a month later.

Her finest hour so far came in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes last August, when she was full of running in scoring by a length and a half from Whistlejacket, who won a Group 1 of his own on his next start.

She lost her unbeaten record to Lake Victoria in the Cheveley Park and there is no shame in that. The daughter of Kodiac was a tad disappointing on her seasonal debut recently, but the yard’s runners are tending to need their first starts and she should improve significantly.

Magnum Force

Lyons achieved international success at the Breeders’ Cup back in November with his colt, Magnum Force, landing the Juvenile Turf Sprint. All the big sprint races could be on the cards for him this year and perhaps even a second trip over to the States.

He had acquitted himself well enough in lower grades beforehand, but clearly possesses a lot of pace. Although he made his debut over 6f, all of his best form came over the minimum trip and it could be a similar story this term.

Chantez

One of his smartest juveniles last term was Chantez and she could also be set for a big season. She made her seasonal debut in a Group 3 earlier this week, but was never really in the race and is definitely capable of better.

Winning her maiden in good style at Leopardstown last term, she then followed up in Listed company when scoring over the same course and distance. It is possible that she may want further in time, but this filly will be winning races this season.

Lady Iman

Lady Iman is probably the smartest juvenile we have seen on either side of the Irish Sea so far and she remains unbeaten in two starts. She was far too good for her rivals on debut at Dundalk, having any amount in hand.

Equally as impressive in Listed company at the Curragh recently, she had to wait for a gap, but as soon as one appeared Lyons’ filly put the race to bed in a matter of strides. Royal Ascot should be on the agenda and she will be a serious contender if lining up.