The Gold Cup is a Group races, Group 1 Flat racing, flat Horse racing, horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot Racecourse, 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 guinea (coin), guineas. The first race took place in the presence of George III of the United Kingdom, King George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen Charlotte.
The 1844 running was attended by Nicholas I of Russia, who was making a state visit 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, 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 and the Doncaster Cup. The last horse to win all three races in the same year was Stradivarius (horse), 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 (horse), Yeats, who recorded his fourth victory in 2009.
Records
Most successful horse (4 wins):
* Yeats (horse), Yeats – ''2006, 2007, 2008, 2009''
Other multiple winners:
* Anticipation – ''1816, 1819''
* Bizarre – ''1824, 1825''
* Touchstone (horse), Touchstone – ''1836, 1837''
* The Emperor – ''1844, 1845''
* The Hero – ''1847, 1848''
* Fisherman (English horse), Fisherman – ''1858, 1859''
* Isonomy (horse), Isonomy – ''1879, 1880''
* The White Knight – ''1907, 1908''
* Prince Palatine – ''1912, 1913''
* Invershin – ''1928, 1929''
* Trimdon – ''1931, 1932''
* Fighting Charlie – ''1965, 1966''
* Sagaro – ''1975, 1976, 1977''
* Le Moss – ''1979, 1980''
* Ardross (horse), Ardross – ''1981, 1982''
* Gildoran – ''1984, 1985''
* Sadeem – ''1988, 1989''
* Drum Taps (horse), Drum Taps – ''1992, 1993''
* Kayf Tara – ''1998, 2000''
* Royal Rebel – ''2001, 2002''
* Stradivarius (horse), Stradivarius – ''2018, 2019, 2020''
Leading jockey (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 Horse trainer, trainer (8 wins):
* Aidan O'Brien – ''Yeats (horse), Yeats (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009), Fame and Glory (2011), Leading Light (2014), Order of St George (horse), Order of St George (2016), Kyprios (horse), Kyprios (2022)''
Leading owner (8 wins): ''(includes part ownership)''
* Sue Magnier – ''Yeats (horse), Yeats (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009), Fame and Glory (2011), Leading Light (2014), Order of St George (horse), Order of St George (2016), Kyprios (horse), Kyprios (2022)''
Winners
See also
* Horse racing in Great Britain
* List of British flat horse races
References
* Paris-Turf:
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* Racing Post:
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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.''
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* 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