In an era when thoroughbreds run less often and come back fresh off a month’s break as a matter of routine, getting one to fire first time out is no big feat.

The real trick is bringing a horse back after six months or more and watching him win on the return. That rare feat belonged to Peter-John Parsard and Never Despair at Caymanas Park on Sunday, June 7, 2026.

Off the track for 16 months with a career-threatening injury, Never Despair returned to competitive racing and did it in style, easily capturing a maiden condition race over four furlongs (800m).