Kyprios successfully dethroned his old adversary Trawlerman to reclaim his victory in the thrilling edition of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Aided by Aidan O’Brien, the six-year-old has previously been a dominant contender in the division, having secured the two-and-a-half-mile headline event two years earlier, as well as victorious runs in the Goodwood Cup and the Irish St Leger, and notably, a remarkable 20-length success in the Prix du Cadran.
Due to an injury that could potentially ended his career, Kyprios’ appearances were limited to merely two races last season, both of which saw him defeated, including a neck loss to Trawlerman on Champions Day. However, Kyprios managed to overturn the previous result on the most crucial day, becoming the first horse since Kayf Tara in 2000 to make a triumphant return in the Gold Cup.
After securing wins at Navan and Leopardstown on domestic grounds this spring, the Galileo’s chestnut progeny confidently took off as the 11-10 favourite, ominously lying in wait behind the current leader Trawlerman and the eager Caius Chorister.
Ryan Moore, commanding the powerful Kyprios, made a move against Trawlerman at the crux of the race, and despite a resilient effort from the latter, Moore never wavered in his belief that his horse possessed the necessary skill to cinch victory. Kyprios rewarded his faith by crossing the finish line first, winning by a length.
Sweet William, Trawlerman’s stablemate trained by John and Thady Gosden, trailed by another five lengths, resting in third place, while Willie Mullins’s Vauban initially posed a threat but eventually succumbed to fourth place.
Reflecting on the victory, Moore said: “The initial race was smooth, in exactly the positioning I wanted. He then started travelling exceptionally well too early again… Aidan knows precisely how to prepare them better than anyone. It’s an absolute pleasure to steer a horse of this calibre.”