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| Staff Writer |
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Kyprios made a stunning comeback to seize back the title from his old rival Trawlerman in a thrilling showdown at the Gold Cup in Royal Ascot.
Aidan O’Brien’s 6YO had previously dominated the division, clinching victories in the two-and-a-half-mile showpiece, the Goodwood Cup, and the Irish St Leger.
Despite a career-threatening injury that limited his races last season, Kyprios overcame the odds to overturn his form and clinch victory, making him the first horse since 2000 to regain the Gold Cup.
Under the guidance of jockey Ryan Moore, Kyprios surged past Trawlerman in the home stretch and secured a resounding win, with Sweet William and Vauban finishing in third and fourth place, respectively.
On how unusual it is for a horse to come back after the issue Kyprios had, O’Brien said: “I’d say it is millions to one. It was really impossible to come back from what he came back from.
“He got an infection in his joint, and it got into the joint capsule. Usually what happens is that they lose the movement in the joint – and for a while he did, but it came back! It’s from the care that they all took to get him back. It’s incredible.
“At one stage, it didn’t look like he was going to live. Then it was getting him to stand, and then to walk, then to trot, then teaching him how to canter again, because he had to move all his body in different ways again. He always had the most incredible mind, that was always his power probably, was his mind.”
O’Brien added: “Ryan gave him an incredible ride, I’m delighted. There are incredible people around him and he’s an incredible horse.
“It wasn’t easy because he passed the second horse here last year (Champions Day) and he came back at him, I could see Ryan biding his time. It was incredible really, it’s masterful stuff, really.
“It’s not simple but this is an incredible horse, I’m delighted for everybody really.
On Ryan Moore, O’Brien said: “Every year Ryan rides, he gets better. Every year he has ridden for us, he gets better. He is the complete package and puts it all in, in every way – he is so committed, so straight, so loyal, so dedicated, such an athlete.
“Ryan gave him an unbelievable ride. Incredible. It wasn’t easy. The second horse passed him here last year, and the second horse came back at him. An incredible horse and I’m so delighted for everybody. There’s an unbelievable team around him that make it happen.”
John Gosden said of the placed horses: “I think with Trueshan coming out of the race, and he would have been the obvious pace, we were left in the knowledge that there was no pace and let Trawlerman go on and do his own thing.
“When Kyprios came to him, there was a battle, and that's what you like to see, a ding-dong right to the line. We nailed Kyprios in the mud and he's beaten us on the fast ground today.
“Sweet William thinks about life – he gets there when he wants to! He does everything in his own time but he ran really well to be third. Second and third is a great run from both horses."
Trawlerman’s rider William Buick said: “He was foot-perfect the whole way, and when I turned in, I thought I had plenty of horse. He kept finding all the way to the line and, even when the winner headed me, he came back. It was a huge run. He stayed the trip.
“I’m sure Goodwood will be the next target. The winner’s been here and done it before so you’ve got to respect him, but Trawlerman has run a mighty race.”
Sweet William’s owner-breeder Philippa Cooper said: “I am so pleased. He had five screws in as a 2YO, so it’s been a long journey. I am so proud of him.
“Rab says he’s improving, and if he stays sound, he could be back. It was very, very special.”
1st- Kyprios (Moyglare, Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Westerberg) Aidan O’Brien/ Ryan Moore
2nd- Trawlerman (Godolphin) John & Thady Gosden / William Buick
3rd- Sweet William (Normandie Stud Ltd) John & Thady Gosden/ Robert Havlin