Aidan O’Brien has cemented his legendary status at Royal Ascot, securing his 100th career winner at the prestigious meeting as Scandinavia triumphed in a thrilling renewal of the Gold Cup.
The four-year-old, ridden by Ryan Moore, surged in the final strides to claim victory in the feature race.
For much of the gruelling two-and-a-half-mile contest, it appeared last year’s winner, Trawlerman, was poised to defend his title.
Trawlerman, notable for wearing ski goggles in the paddock to shield his sensitive eyes from the sun, battled bravely. However, having not had a run earlier in the season, the final 50 yards of the stamina-sapping race proved decisive, with last season’s St Leger winner Scandinavia (the 11-8 favourite) wearing him down right on the line.
The victory was certainly not welcomed by bookmakers, with Star Sports reporting a substantial £120,000 win bet placed on O’Brien’s charge at odds of 5-2. Reflecting on the monumental achievement, O’Brien, whose first Royal Ascot winner was Harbour Master in 1997, expressed his profound gratitude.
“It’s very special, it’s a very special day for myself and everybody in Ballydoyle,” he said.
He continued, acknowledging the collective effort behind the success: “There are so many people involved to help a horse get this far. Ryan gave him an absolute class, peach ride. That’s just incredible really (100 Royal Ascot) winners, it’s something that we wouldn’t dream of thinking about because for that to happen you could not believe.
“Even this week, it’s literally one race at a time and you don’t even think what it could be or whether it could happen because it’s so competitive, so hard to win races here.”
O’Brien was later presented with his prize and a commemorative ‘100’ saddle cloth by the King and Queen.
Discussing the race itself, O’Brien praised the runner-up’s tenacity. “We knew the second horse was a great horse, very brave. He joined him and you don’t know until you go past that two furlong marker what’s really going to happen but we felt he was very brave, he always showed that in every race, he’s relentless, he cruises.
“It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be involved with the team and be the small part that I am with everybody. The reality is everyone puts in the work and we watch it going on and I can’t tell you how grateful we are to everybody.”
Looking ahead for Scandinavia, O’Brien added: “He’s only a baby stayer, only a four-year-old. The second horse is a good horse and we know how brave he is, he’s eight so he had plenty of age on his side when it got tough, and it (Gold Cup) is tough on a young horse. It was brilliant, what can I say?
“It’s such a privilege for me, for Anne-Marie (wife) and everyone in Ballydoyle to be working with these horses for the lads (Coolmore owners). I’m not taking it for granted in any way, it’s so special. It’s a day we never thought would happen. Every race is so hard to win here; you never expect anything and you always hope. What a special day.”
Jockey Ryan Moore, himself on 96 Royal Ascot victories, lauded O’Brien’s preparation.
“Aidan had him in a great place. Since he got beat here last year (fifth in Queen’s Vase) his record’s been incredible. He’s done well because everything was going smooth until they first went past the winning post, Oisin (Murphy, on Caballo De Mar) took me back then I had to make up two lengths.
“I didn’t really need to to get to Trawlerman, and Trawlerman digs in, he’s a good horse. But it worked out – he’s class.”
Moore quipped about O’Brien’s milestone: “Aidan will be thinking about the next 100, but I’m sure he’ll be delighted it’s done.”
