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| Staff Writer |
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Courage Mon Ami, the reigning Gold Cup champion, will not be able to defend his title at Royal Ascot due to a setback.
The 5YO horse was acquired by Wathnan Racing through a private purchase before last year's event, following victories in each of his three previous races for breeder Anthony Oppenheimer.
Courage Mon Ami had a memorable victory at the meeting when he claimed the stayers' crown with jockey Frankie Dettori. However, he later underperformed in the Goodwood Cup and finished second in the Lonsdale Cup at York in his final race of the season.
Although trainers John and Thady Gosden were preparing the Frankel gelding for another shot at the Gold Cup, their focus will now shift to Gregory. Gregory, who won the Queen's Vase at Ascot last year and finished third in the recent Yorkshire Cup, will now be the team's main hope.
Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown said, “It’s unfortunate timing, but thankfully not a serious setback and we are very hopeful he will be back to contest Cup races later in the year.
“Courage Mon Ami gave Wathnan such a brilliant start last year, and we will miss him on Gold Cup day. We’ll be pinning all our hopes that Gregory will prove an able deputy.”
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Kyprios is the favourite for the Gold Cup, with Gregory second-favourite.