Kyprios ushers in new dawn in the staying division as Stradivarius falls short

Thursday: Gold Cup, Royal Ascot

There promised to be drama and high emotion in the Gold Cup and it did not disappoint, with Kyprios crowned the new king of the stayers in a race that left as many questions as it did answers.

Youth ultimately conquered experience as Kyprios narrowly defeated fellow four-year-old Mojo Star by half a length, with history seeking eight-year-old Stradivarius a further three-quarter lengths behind in third, as for a second year running his attempt to win a fourth Gold Cup came up agonisingly short.

Winning rider Ryan Moore described the centrepiece of the royal meeting as a "messy race" that wasn't enjoyable to ride in but however bad he thought his trip had been, it wasn't half as painful as it was for Stradivarius and Frankie Dettori, who similarly to last year found himself further back than ideal and was forced widest of all to get a run in the straight.

Kyprios also had to fan to the centre of the track to make his move but he was always in front of Stradivarius off a slow pace and, while the crowd's favourite did his damnedest to close the gap once in the clear, he was never quite able to peg back the front two.

Kyprios (black, white and red) fends off Mojo Star and Stradivarius (right) in the Gold CupCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Moore said: "It wasn't a nice race to ride. I didn't like the spot we were in as we were going slow. They were getting an easy time up front and I had to move him to the outside – I don't like doing that.

"We got going and got to the front, and when Mojo Star has come to us, that's when he's clicked in. It wasn't a true test today but he was much the best and there will be lots of good days with him.

"I know he's only won a short distance but I think he's a very good staying horse."

Emotions were understandably running high among the Stradivarius camp, with owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen in particular looking ten years older compared to five minutes earlier.

While acknowledging his trip had been less than ideal, Dettori ultimately felt younger legs had won the day. However, there was undoubtedly a sense of 'what if' from joint-trainer John Gosden and Nielsen, having seen Stradivarius have to come from off the pace and from behind a wall of horses.

While disappointed, they have so much to be proud of as Stradivarius enters the final furlong of his career. His 20 wins include four Goodwood Cups, three Gold Cups, three Lonsdale and Yorkshire Cups, two Doncaster Cups and a Long Distance Cup in a career unmatched over staying distances on the Flat in the modern era.

Frankie Dettori and three-time Gold Cup hero Stradivarius after finishing third this yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Nevertheless, having run in his last Gold Cup, it felt like this was the end of one era and the beginning of the next, with Kyprios and Mojo Star two youngsters whose rivalry has the potential to sprinkle stardust on the staying division for many years to come.

Yeats, also trained by Aidan O'Brien, remains the only four-time winner of the Gold Cup but didn't start his winning run at Ascot until he was five. Who knows where we will be in three years' time with Kyprios? One thing is for sure, the Gold Cup will be his target from here on in.

O'Brien said: "It's hard to get a horse to go that extended distance. We thought he would be a Gold Cup horse last year. We brought him here last season for the Queen's Vase but he got a fright and came out underneath the stalls.

"His back was badly bruised and he didn't get to race again. He missed the St Leger and it was always the plan that we'd train him with this race in mind. We think he's a horse who is going to come forward again."

He added: "He's brave, genuine and a great horse. Ryan gave him a marvellous ride and had belief in him. When he really wanted him, he answered. We think he is a horse to look forward to.

"He could go to Goodwood next and there's the Irish St Leger. We'll have to see how he is but I think everybody will want to aim at the Gold Cup every year."

Kyprios: provided trainer Aidan O'Brien with an eighth win in the Gold Cup at Royal AscotCredit: Ryan Pierse (Getty Images)

Mojo Star, runner-up in last year's Derby and St Leger, ran a mighty race on his first start for 256 days and, like the winner, looks an up-and-coming force over marathon trips.

"To run like that and get the trip was amazing," said owner Kia Joorabchian. "I think if he had a run then he would have been right up there.

"Richard Hannon has done a great job with him and Rossa Ryan gave him a great ride. He's never let us down. Derby day, Leger day – unfortunately he's hit a lot of seconds but he'll have his day."

Read this next:

John Gosden: I wish we'd been handier and not had to go around a wall of horses

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