The Gold Cup
Group 1, Ascot 16:20
£650,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
2m 3f 210y, Class 1   
Thursday 19th June 2025

1 Trawlerman 85/40F
2 Illinois 9/4
3 Dubai Future 28/1
8 ran Distances: 7l, 7l, 4¾l
Time: 4m 15.02s (fast by 5.48s)

Trawlerman put right what had narrowly eluded him 12 months ago, going one better in emphatic fashion to capture the Group 1 Gold Cup—this time making every yard of the running and stopping the clock in a new course record of 4m 15.02s.

With no Kyprios to keep him honest, Godolphin’s seven-year-old seized the moment, dictating from the front under a beautifully judged ride by William Buick. The doubts lay with the opposition—and Trawlerman exposed them one by one, stretching away in the straight to win by seven widening lengths.

Turning for home, Buick had a two-length cushion. It was Illinois who gave brief chase, looming as a danger but unable to sustain the effort, with Dubai Future plugging on gamely a further seven lengths adrift in third.

This was a fifth Gold Cup for John Gosden—his first since the days of Stradivarius and 2023 hero Courage Mon Ami, once again in partnership with son Thady. Trawlerman, for his part, ran like a horse who knew his job and relished every inch of the two and a half miles.

“He just goes off and finds his rhythm,” said Gosden. “William told me, ‘I threw him the reins and let him judge it.’ And he did—it was inch-perfect. This horse just grinds and keeps finding. You come to him, you’d better mean it, because he’s not stopping.”

Indeed, they never came to him. It was front-running at its most ruthless. For a horse who gave Kyprios all he could handle last year, the absence of that rival gave Trawlerman the stage—and he delivered.

The performance also marked a resurgent high point for Clarehaven after a quieter 2024. “We’ve been planning this for months,” Gosden added. “You don't fluke Gold Cups—you aim.”

Buick, beaming after a textbook ride, paid tribute to his partner: “He’s so genuine, so professional. I was just a passenger. He knows his pace, he stays all day, and he did it on his own terms. To win a Gold Cup like that—it’s right up there.”

Asked about the winning margin, Buick nodded: “That’s what this race does—it strips away the bluff. Two and a half miles: you either stay or you don’t. Trawlerman? He thrives when others falter.”

Behind him, there was no shame for Illinois, who stayed on for second in just his fifth career start. Aidan O’Brien was already looking ahead: “We thought he’d be a Gold Cup horse next year, but with Kyprios retiring, we took the chance. He just got tired late on. There’s more to come.”

Dubai Future’s trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, remained upbeat: “He stayed well enough, but we’ll come back in trip. Two miles might suit better now. He’s such a versatile type—he’s won over everything else.”

But this was Trawlerman’s day. Front to back, gate to line—relentless, remorseless, and richly deserved.

Gold Cup (British Champions Series) (Group 1)
£650,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 2m 3f 210y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (2)    Trawlerman 7 9-4 John & Thady Gosden William Buick 85/40F
2 (1) 7 Illinois 4 9-3 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 9/4
3 (5) 7 Dubai Future 9 9-4 Saeed bin Suroor James McDonald 28/1
4 (8) 4¾ Sweet William 6 9-4 John & Thady Gosden Robert Havlin 7/1
5 (6) 6½ Coltrane 8 9-4 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 33/1
6 (4) 4 Candelari 4 9-3 F-H Graffard Mickael Barzalona 5/2
7 (7) 99 Yashin 6 9-4 Michael Bell Callum Shepherd 50/1
PU (3) Wonder Legend 5 9-4 James Ferguson Daniel Muscutt 50/1

FreeRacingTips

THE GOLD CUP - Past Results

2024-WINNER-KYPRIOS A P O'Brien Ryan Moore Moyglare,Magnier,Tabor,Smith,Westerberg 6 9-4 11/10F

2023-WINNER-COURAGE MON AMI John & Thady Gosden Frankie Dettori Wathnan Racing 4 9-03 15/2

2022-WINNER-KYPRIOS A P O'Brien Ryan Moore Moyglare, Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Westerberg 4 9-03 13/8F

2021-WINNER-SUBJECTIVIST Mark Johnston Joe Fanning Dr J Walker 4-9-01 13/2

2020-WINNER-STRADIVARIUS John Gosden Frankie Dettori Bjorn Nielsen 6-9-02 4/5F

2019-WINNER-STRADIVARIUS John Gosden Frankie Dettori Bjorn Nielsen 5-9-02 Evs F

2018-WINNER-STRADIVARIUS John Gosden Frankie Dettori Bjorn Nielsen 4-9-01 7/4JF

2017-WINNER-BIG ORANGE 6-9-02 Owner-Bill & Tim Gredley; Trainer-Michael Bell; Jockey-James Doyle; SP-5/1
2ND-Order Of St George 5-9-02 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore;
SP-5/6 Fav
3RD-Harbour Law 4-9-00 Owner-Jackie Cornwell; Trainer-Laura Mongan; Jockey-Jim Crowley; SP-33/1
14 ran; Time-4m 22.4s; Dist-sh, 6

2016-WINNER-ORDER OF ST GEORGE 4-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-10/11 Fav
2ND-Mizzou 5-9-02 Owner-Jon Kelly; Trainer-Luca Cumani; Jockey-Andrea Atzeni; SP-10/1
3RD-Sheikhzayedroad 7-9-02 Owner-Mohammed Jaber; Trainer-David Simcock; Jockey-Martin Harley; SP-40/1
17 ran; Time-4m 26.21s; Dist-3, 2¼

2015-WINNER-TRIP TO PARIS 4-9-00 Owner-La Grange Partnership; Trainer-Ed Dunlop; Jockey-Graham Lee; SP-12/1
2ND-Kingfisher 4-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP- 5/1
3RD-Forgotten Rules 5-9-00 Owner-Moyglare Stud; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Pat Smullen; SP-5/2 Fav
12 ran; Time-4m 22.61s; Dist-11⁄4, nk

2014-WINNER-LEADING LIGHT 4-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey- Joseph O’Brien; SP-10/11F *fin 3RD promoted to
2ND-Missunited 7-8-13 Owner-Vanessa Hutch; Trainer-Michael Winters IRE; Jockey-Jim Crowley; SP-40/1 *fin 4TH promoted to
3RD-Brown Panther 6-9-02 Owner-Andrew Black & Owen Promotions Ltd; Trainer-Tom Dascombe; Jockey- Richard Kingscote; SP-5/1
13 ran; Time-4m 21.09s; Dist-nk, sh, 4½ (original finishing order) Estimate finished second but was subsequently disqualified after failing a post-race test

2013-WINNER-ESTIMATE 4-8-11 Owner-The Queen; Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-7/2 Fav
2ND-Simenon 6-9-02 Owner-Wicklow Bloodstock Limited; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-5/1
3RD-Top Trip 4-9-00 Owner-J Vasicek; Trainer-Francois Doumen FR; Jockey-Mickael Barzalona; SP-7/1
14 ran; Time-4m 20.51s; Dist-nk, 1

2012-WINNER-COLOUR VISION 4-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-6/1
2ND-Opinion Poll 6-9-02 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Mahmood Al Zarooni; Jockey-Mickael Barzalona; SP-5/1
3RD-Saddler’s Rock 4-9-00 Owner-Michael O’Flynn; Trainer-John Oxx IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-9/2
9 ran; Time-4m 42.05s; Dist-½, nk 4/5 Fav Fame And Glory (7th)

2011-WINNER-FAME AND GLORY 5-9-02 Owner-Derrick Smith/Sue Magnier/Michael Tabor/Fitri Hay; Trainer-Aidan
O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Opinion Poll 5-9-02 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Mahmood Al Zarooni; Jockey-Mickael Barzalona; SP-16/1
3RD-Brigantin 4-9-00 Owner-Team Valor; Trainer-Andre Fabre FR; Jockey-Pierre-Charles Boudot; SP-16/1
15 ran; Time-4m 37.51s; Dist-3, 4½

2010-WINNER-RITE OF PASSAGE 6-9-02 Owner-Dr Ronan Lambe; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Pat Smullen;
SP-20/1
2ND-Age Of Aquarius 4-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Eduard Mordukhovitch; Trainer-Aidan
O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-8/1
3RD-Purple Moon 7-9-02 Owner-Craig Bennett; Trainer-Luca Cumani; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-12/1
12 ran; Time-4m 16.92s; Dist-nk, 6 11/4 Fav Ask (5th)

2009-WINNER-YEATS 8-9-02 Owner-Sue Magnier & Diane Nagle; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh;
SP-6/4 Fav
2ND-Patkai 4-9-00 Owner-Ballymacoll Stud; Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-9/2
3RD-Geordieland 8-9-02 Owner-A Taylor, K Conlan, D Carberry; Trainer-Jamie Osborne; Jockey-Shane Kelly; SP-11/4
9 ran; Time-4m 20.73s; Dist-3½, 15

2008-WINNER-YEATS 7-9-02 Owner-Sue Magnier & Diane Nagle; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh;
SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Geordieland 7-9-02 Owner-Mountgrange Stud; Trainer-Jamie Osborne; Jockey-Shane Kelly; SP-15/2
3RD-Coastal Path 4-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Andre Fabre-FR; Jockey-Stephane Pasquier; SP-2/1
10 ran, Time-4m 21.14s, Dist-5, 4½,

2007-WINNER-YEATS 6-9-02 Owner-Sue Magnier & Diane Nagle; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Michael Kinane;
SP-8/13 Fav
2ND-Geordieland 6-9-02 Owner-Mountgrange Stud; Trainer-Jamie Osborne; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-12/1
3RD-Le Miracle 6-9-02 Owner-Gestut Hachtsee; Trainer-Werner Baltromei GER; Jockey-Dominique Boeuf; SP-50/1
14 ran, Time 4m 20.78s, Dist 1½, 3½

2006-WINNER-YEATS 5-9-02 Owner-Sue Magnier & Diane Nagle; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Kieren Fallon;
SP-7/1
2ND-Reefscape 5-9-02 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Andre Fabre FR; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-100/30
3RD-Distinction 7-9-02 Owner-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Ltd; Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Michael Kinane;
SP-5/2 Fav
12 ran, Time-4m 20.45s, Dist-4, hd

2005-WINNER-WESTERNER 6-9-02 Owner-Ecurie Wildenstein; Trainer-Elie Lellouche FR; Jockey-Olivier Peslier; SP-7/4
Fav
2ND-Distinction 6-9-00 Owner-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Ltd; Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh;
SP-33/1
3RD-Vinnie Roe 7-9-02 Owner-Seamus Sheridan; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Pat Smullen; SP-9/2
17 ran, Time-4m 19.49s, Dist- nk, 5 (Run at York)

2004-WINNER-PAPINEAU 4-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-5/1
2ND-Westerner 5-9-02 Owner-Ecurie Wildenstein; Trainer: Elie Lellouche FR; Jockey-Gerald Mosse; SP-13/2
3RD-Darasim 6-9-02 Owner-Markus Graff; Trainer-Mark Johnston; Jockey-Joe Fanning; SP-28/1
13 ran, Time-4m 20.90s, Dist-1½, 2½ 5/4 Fav Mr Dinos (6th)

2003-WINNER-MR DINOS 4-9-00 Owner-Constantinos Shiacolas; Trainer-Paul Cole; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-3/1
2ND-Persian Punch 10-9-02 Owner-Jeff Smith; Trainer-David Elsworth; Jockey-Martin Dwyer; SP-20/1
3RD-Pole Star 5-9-02 Owner-D I Russell; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Pat Eddery; SP-12/1
12 ran, Time: 4m 20.15s, Dist-6, ¾ 5/2 Fav Mamool (5th)

Odds catcher