Kyprios Regains Ascot Gold Cup Crown

Kyprios (6h Galileo – Polished Gem, by Danehill) once again confirmed his leading stayer status when winning the Ascot Gold Cup for a second time on Thursday.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge proved unbeatable in 2022, with his six wins including Group 1 victories in the Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, Irish St Leger and Prix du Cadran. Injury ruled out a 2023 rematch, but he came into Thursday’s contest having won Stakes races on both his starts this season.

Sent off favourite under Ryan Moore, he travelled strongly with three furlongs left to race and quickened to lead approaching the final furlong. He kept on well when asked to score by a length, with another five lengths back to the third. Victory saw him become just the third horse to regain the Ascot Gold Cup title after Anticipation and Kayf Tara.

O’Brien was quick to praise Moore, describing the winning ride as “masterful stuff.” He was also keen to stress the significance of Kyprios’s return from injury, explaining, “At one stage we weren't sure he'd live. This is like a human having the most horrific injury and then winning the Olympics. It shouldn't have happened but it did.”

On how Kyprios managed to return to his best, the master of Ballydoyle commented, “He's always had the most incredible mind and that was always his power.”

“He's an unbelievable horse,” Ryan Moore added. “Aidan knows exactly what they need to do, he knows how to get them here better than anyone. It's lovely to ride a horse like this.”

Kyprios is owned by breeder Moyglare Stud Farm with Coolmore partners and Westerberg. The son of Galileo is a full-brother to three Stakes winners, including dual Irish St Leger winner Search For A Song, while other siblings include Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes victor Free Eagle (High Chaparral).