'This means so much' - Tudhope first Scottish rider in 50 years to win Gold Cup

Saturday: Ayr Gold Cup

He might have had four victories at Royal Ascot this year and ridden many Group 1 winners in the last few seasons but this meant just as much to Danny Tudhope.

That was obvious from the joy in his face as he posed for photos with his family after landing the £150,000 Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup on Summerghand.

And no wonder. The jockey, born and brought up less than ten miles away from the course at Irvine, had fulfilled a burning ambition to win his country's biggest Flat race – the first Scottish rider to do so since 5lb claimer Richard Hutchinson on Swinging Junior 50 years ago.

"This means so much to me," he said. "I'm only from down the road having been brought up in Irvine. My family come here all the time to watch me racing and this is my local track, really.

"I've tried so hard to win this race down the years and it's a hard one to win. I'm glad I've finally done it. I think I was second once and I had gone close a few times but this means everything.

"I believe it is 50 years since the last Scottish jockey won it and that means a lot."

Summerghand hits the front in the Ayr Gold CupCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Asked how it compared to his numerous other successes, he said: “It means just as much."

Summerghand was having his fourth crack at the Gold Cup, having finished 11th, fourth and eighth in three previous tries, but Tudhope got him to the front in the last half-furlong as the 2020 Stewards' Cup winner beat 2021 and 2022 winner Commanche Falls by a length.

"He needs a lot of luck in running and things to go right for him," Tudhope said. "It panned out well, it opened up nicely for him.

"I think the ground was the key for him. When he's in good form this is his ground, he's been running well and I was pretty hopeful he’d run a big race. He's been an incredible horse over the years, he's been a horse of a lifetime, really."

Trainer David O'Meara was delighted to repay an old debt as he said: "We won this before with Louis The Pious and James Doyle rode him. Danny missed out that year and I did feel a bit sorry for him, in such a big race on his doorstep. It's brilliant for him.

"It was a great ride by Danny. When Summerghand gets going he finishes his races very well and these big sprint handicaps suit him."

The winner was landing his 14th victory and taking his earnings past £400,000.

O'Meara said of the eight-year-old: "He's been around a long time and he's as good as ever. He's got such a good constitution and he kind of looks after himself, he takes no training.

"He's an absolute legend. Liam Heard rides him out every day and I never really gallop him. Like a lot of these good sprinters, they don't need an awful lot of work."

Michael Dods was left wondering what might have been had Connor Beasley been able to get a lead for longer on topweight Commanche Falls, rather than finding himself in front over a furlong out.

"He's run a blinder but Connor said they didn't carry him far enough," the trainer said. "He's travelling so much better in his races.

"But it was a super run with the weight and I'm delighted with him. He'll probably go in a Listed race now."

Bergerac did best of five-time winner Kevin Ryan's four runners in sixth place but the William Haggas-trained 9-2 favourite Khanjar finished 20th of 24.

Watch: Summerghand sprint to Ayr Gold Cup success

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