Trawlerman dominates from the front to take G1 Gold Cup

Trawlerman secured a deserved first G1 success in the Gold Cup with a ruthless front-running display in the staying showpiece at Royal Ascot, UK, on Thursday, 19 June. 

The seven-year-old had finished a length behind Kyprios in the marathon contest 12 months ago and was returning for John & Thady Gosden on the back of a comprehensive success in the G3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown Park. 

Sent on from the outset by William Buick, Trawlerman established an early length and a half lead over Sweet William, with this year’s G2 Dubai Gold Cup winner Dubai Future, settling in a clear seventh of the eight runners. 

Trawlerman continue to enjoy himself in front and looked to have the rest of the field under pressure as he kicked on passing the three-furlong pole. 

Illinois took second from Sweet William approaching the final quarter-mile, as Dubai Future also made stealthy headway into fourth, but neither was able to pressure Trawlerman, who powered further clear to hit the line seven lengths in front. 

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained Dubai Future continued to stay on for James McDonald, taking third from Sweet William over a furlong out, to finish a further seven lengths behind runner-up Illinois. 

Trawlerman’s winning time of 4m 15.02s shaved nearly two seconds off the previous record set by Rite Of Passage in the 2010 Gold Cup.

John Gosden said: “We know Trawlerman stays and, if anyone is going to go by him, they'll know they've been in a race. They never got to him because he simply outstayed them. He's a wonderful old horse and a great team look after him. He's a favourite in the yard and part of the furniture. 

“He ran Kyprios to a length last year and they were both all out, so I think he deserved, with Kyprios not here, to come back and show that he's a proper horse. 

“I think he should be aimed at coming back next year, and he shouldn’t be over-raced at all in between. Don’t be surprised if you don’t see him again until the Henry II Stakes next year. I’ll discuss it with Sheikh Mohammed, but he doesn't need to be going to all these races. He might come back here in the autumn for the Long Distance Cup and then put him away.” 

William Buick added: “Trawlerman is a great horse. We tried the same tactics last year and we were only beaten by the great Kyprios. He has been such a good horse, he's so genuine. 

“I was so happy with this fellow when he won at Sandown as he had a beautiful prep into this. He was just so smooth throughout the race today – he’s really what you want in a two-and-a-half mile race. I didn't have to touch the brakes once, he was in a nice rhythm and he was relaxed. He knows his own speed and he stays well, so I was just a passenger.” 

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Dubai Future ran really well and stayed the trip. Now we will drop him back to two-mile races and Cup races, maybe the G1 Goodwood Cup. I said to James McDonald to drop him in and get him to relax, but also that as a Dubawi, he must have speed. He’s an amazing horse, who has won over a mile and a half and a mile and a quarter.”