Royal Ascot News: Young pretender Kyprios catches Stradivarius kipping in Gold Cup
- Tom Reed
- 16 June 2022
It wasn't an awesome foursome for unlucky Stradivarius in the Ascot Gold Cup with new kid on the block Kyprios winning the Group 1 staying test. Frankie Dettori just couldn't find room on "The Strad".
Aidan O'Brien's Kyprios saw a changing of the guard by taking the Ascot Gold Cup at the expense of star stayer Stradivarius.
Four-year-old Kyprios took to the front and wasn't for catching under Ryan Moore, denying Frankie Dettori a fourth Gold Cup on eight-year-old Stradivarius.
Dettori will be cursing bad luck in running, finding no space whatsoever and having to switch his horse and losing crucial lengths.
Nigel Twiston-Davies' Earlofthecostwolds took up the running early on with Stradivarius and Kyprios going shoulder to shoulder in midfield
Dettori looked anxiously for room and it was a sign of things to come when the two miles, four furlong Group 1 got to the business end at Ascot.
With Kyprios looking for the win and Epsom Derby second Mojo Star running out of his skin, Dettori looked to engage his old-timer in the sprint ending but couldn't find a clear run and had to go round horses to get a route through.
In truth Stradivarius (2/1) did well to finish third but couldn't catch Richard Hannon's valiant Mojo Star (15/2) or the new kid on the block Kyprios who went off the 13/8 favourite.
Kyprios prevailed by half a length from Mojo Star under Rossa Ryan with Stradivarius a further three quarters of a length behind.
Stradivarius has nothing to prove in the staying game after a fantastic career but it shows that quality and experience can still be affected by race tactics and even luck.
Victorious jockey Moore ITV Racing: "It wasn't a nice race to ride. Kyprios stepped slow for him which was unusual. I didn't like the position I was in. I knew I had Frankie on my inside and they were going slow up front.
"I had to move him to the outside and I don't like doing that, but I felt I had to keep Kyprios going.
"He's got there and Mojo Star has come to us and this fella kicked in then and it was comfortable at the line.
"It wasn't a true test today, I don't think we saw the best of him. I'm glad he has come over here and won - there are plenty more good days to be had with him.
"He is brave. It was a more complicated race than it should have been. I think he was much the best."
Meanwhile, winning trainer O'Brien said: "Ryan gave Kyprios a great ride. He saved him, held him and controlled the race.
"I'm delighted for everyone. It's brilliant. Everyone is here and he is a very brave horse.
"We thought he would be (a Gold Cup horse) last year. We took him here last year, but he came out underneath the stalls. His back was badly bruised and he didn't get to race any more.
"He missed the St Leger last year, so it was always the plan that we would train him with this race in mind and give him two preps for it.
"Everything went great and we think he is a horse who will come on more.
"Its incredible and it was great Stradivarius was here and he ran in this race. It makes these races even more special and incredible. I'm delighted for all the lads and the team."
