'He's just an unbelievably classy horse' - Kyprios makes it seven from seven this season with comfortable Long Distance Cup win

Kyprios enhanced his legacy as the greatest stayer of his generation as he made it seven wins from seven starts in 2024 with an utterly dominant display in the Group 2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.

After completing a winning sequence that started at Navan in April, Kyprios can look forward to a winter's break at Ballydoyle, although the way he entered the winner's enclosure, relaxed and barely out of breath, you'd be inclined to think he'd be ready to go again next week rather than having to wait until next spring.

"He didn't really have much of a race today, he only cantered around but it was the same after his last run in France," said winning trainer Aidan O'Brien. "He lost no weight and ever since France he's been putting on weight again. He's just an unbelievably classy horse."

No individual horse has won more Group 1s for Aidan O'Brien than Kyprios, while in June he became just the third horse in history to regain the Gold Cup. A stayer blessed with gears, he is untouchable in long-distance races and will return next year to try to make it three Gold Cups.

"What can you say; the people around him made it happen," O'Brien added: "He's a very special horse and something we've never seen before.

"He's relentless and has an unbelievable amount of quality. It doesn't matter whether you go slow or fast, he just goes there and switches off. Ryan Moore rides him incredibly well and knows him inside out."

Kyprios (Ryan Moore) wins the Long Distance Cup at AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The Ballydoyle team ensured the race was run to their tune, with The Euphrates setting the pace and Kyprios taking up the box seat in second early on. From which point there was a sense of inevitability about the outcome.

"It was the pace Ryan wanted to go. When you see him in that position, it's usually very good for us," said the winning trainer. "He's in that lovely slot now where he enjoys it. Ryan was in total control after a furlong and, when all that's happening, it's very nice watching it".

What make Kyprios's success more meritorious is the fact he spent almost a year on the sidelines with a life-threatening joint injury but beat the odds to return to the track last year.

"I didn't think he'd be back," said O'Brien. "He was only able to walk on three legs and we thought the best case scenario was saving him for stud. He was an incredible horse before he got injured and it was incredible that he came back. He lives outside our back door and he's very special.

"He loves coming racing and is so laid-back. We'll give him the winter off now and then he'll have his two trials [next year] before coming back here for the Gold Cup. That's what we're working towards."

John and Thady Gosden were responsible for runner-up Sweet William and third-home Trawlerman, who are both likely to return next season.

"They both ran well," said John Gosden. "They controlled the pace upfront, both of Aidan's horses. The fractions were pretty steady and then they gradually increased and kicked off the bend. Ours would probably have preferred a stronger, even pace. They've run exceptionally well but Kyprios has a gear more than the rest.

"I'd have thought we'd come back with both of them next year. They're lovely horses. They both have great enthusiasm for it still and these long-distance horses make it fun."

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