The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat

horse race Horse racing is an equestrian performance sport, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its basic p ...

in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles 3 furlongs and 210 yards (4,014 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in June. It is Britain's most prestigious event for "stayers" – horses which specialise in racing over long distances. It is traditionally held on the third day of the Royal Ascot meeting, which is known colloquially (but not officially) as Ladies' Day. Contrary to popular belief the actual title of the race does not include the word "Ascot".

History

The event was established in 1807, and it was originally open to horses aged three or older. The inaugural winner, Master Jackey, was awarded prize money of 100 guineas. The first race took place in the presence of King George III and Queen Charlotte. The 1844 running was attended by Nicholas I of Russia, who was making a

state visit A state visit is a formal visit by a head of state to a foreign country, at the invitation of the head of state of that foreign country, with the latter also acting as the official host for the duration of the state visit. Speaking for the host ...

to England. That year's winner was unnamed at the time of his victory, but he was given the name "The Emperor" in honour of the visiting monarch. In return Nicholas offered a new trophy for the race — the "Emperor's Plate" — and this became the title of the event for a short period. Its original name was restored after nine years, during the Crimean War. It was taken by thieves on 18 June 1907. The theft was never solved, but a replacement was finished by August.

Mark Twain Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has p ...

, the American humorist, came to London about that time, and was much amused by the twin headlines appearing in '' The Times'': MARK TWAIN ARRIVES ASCOT GOLD CUP STOLEN The Gold Cup is the first leg of Britain's ''Stayers' Triple Crown'', followed by the

Goodwood Cup The Goodwood Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 2 miles (3,219 ...

and the Doncaster Cup. The last horse to win all three races in the same year was Stradivarius in 2019. The Gold Cup is one of three perpetual trophies at the Royal Ascot meeting, along with the Royal Hunt Cup and the Queen's Vase, which can be kept permanently by the winning owners. A number of horses have won it more than once, and the most successful is Yeats, who recorded his fourth victory in 2009.

Records

Most successful horse (4 wins): * Yeats – ''2006, 2007, 2008, 2009'' Other multiple winners: * Anticipation – ''1816, 1819'' * Bizarre – ''1824, 1825'' *

Touchstone Touchstone may refer to: * Touchstone (assaying tool), a stone used to identify precious metals * Touchstone (metaphor), a means of assaying relative merits of a concept Entertainment * ''Touchstone'' (album), a 1982 album by Chick Corea * T ...

– ''1836, 1837'' * The Emperor – ''1844, 1845'' * The Hero – ''1847, 1848'' * Fisherman – ''1858, 1859'' * Isonomy – ''1879, 1880'' * The White Knight – ''1907, 1908'' * Prince Palatine – ''1912, 1913'' * Invershin – ''1928, 1929'' * Trimdon – ''1931, 1932'' * Fighting Charlie – ''1965, 1966'' *

Sagaro Sagaro (1971–1986) was an Irish-bred, French-trained thoroughbred racehorse. He is regarded as one of the best stayers ever in Europe on the Flat. Background Sagaro was a chestnut horse bred by his owner Gerald Oldham, the Geneva-based ...

– ''1975, 1976, 1977'' *

Le Moss Le Moss (3 April 1975 – 17 August 2000) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. A specialist stayer, he excelled at distances of two miles and beyond, winning eleven times from fifteen races between 1977 and 1980. He showed good form ...

– ''1979, 1980'' * Ardross – ''1981, 1982'' *

Gildoran Gildoran (foaled 6 June 1980) was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and stallion. A specialist stayer he won the Ascot Gold Cup in 1984 and 1985. His other wins included the Sagaro Stakes and the Goodwood Cup. In all, he won ...

– ''1984, 1985'' * Sadeem – ''1988, 1989'' * Drum Taps – ''1992, 1993'' * Kayf Tara – ''1998, 2000'' *

Royal Rebel Royal Rebel (foaled 29 March 1996) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse. A gelding who excelled over extreme distance, he is best known for winning consecutive runnings of the two and a half mile Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2001 and 2002. In a ca ...

– ''2001, 2002'' * Stradivarius – ''2018, 2019, 2020'' Leading

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used to describe the individual ...

(11 wins): * Lester Piggott – ''Zarathustra (1957), Gladness (1958), Pandofell (1961), Twilight Alley (1963), Fighting Charlie (1965), Sagaro (1975, 1976, 1977), Le Moss (1979), Ardross (1981, 1982)'' Leading trainer (8 wins): * Aidan O'Brien – '' Yeats (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009),

Fame and Glory Fame and Glory (20 March 2006 – 13 February 2017) was an Irish Thoroughbred horse whose wins include the Critérium de Saint-Cloud, Irish Derby, Tattersalls Gold Cup, Coronation Cup and Ascot Gold Cup. Background Fame and Glory was a ...

(2011), Leading Light (2014), Order of St George (2016),

Kyprios Kyprios is the stage name of David Coles, a Canadian hip hop musician. Career Formerly associated with the musical collective Sweatshop Union, he now records and performs exclusively as a solo artist. He appeared on all of Sweatshop Union's alb ...

(2022)'' Leading owner (8 wins): ''(includes part ownership)'' * Sue Magnier – '' Yeats (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009),

(2011), Leading Light (2014), Order of St George (2016),

(2022)''

Winners

References

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Racing Post ''Racing Post'' is a British daily horse racing, greyhound racing and sports betting publisher which is published in print and digital formats. It is printed in tabloid format from Monday to Sunday. , it has an average daily circulation of 6 ...

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galopp-sieger.de
– ''Ascot Gold Cup.''
horseracingintfed.com
– ''International Federation of Horseracing Authorities – Gold Cup (2018).''
pedigreequery.com
– ''Ascot Gold Cup – Ascot.''

– ''Ascot Gold Cup.'' * * YouTube Race Video https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfn5x2SD03q4TvYnBjgdsNth34if5VTOt {{Authority control Flat races in Great Britain Ascot Racecourse Open long distance horse races Recurring sporting events established in 1807 British Champions Series June sporting events 1807 establishments in England

History

Records

Winners

See also

References