Inaugurated 1807 Website Ascot Surface Turf | Race type Flat / Thoroughbred Distance 2m 4f (4,023 metres) | |
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Location Ascot Racecourse
Ascot, England | ||
The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.
Contents
It is Britain's most prestigious event for "stayers" – horses which specialise in racing over long distances. It is traditionally held on day three of the Royal Ascot meeting, which is known colloquially (but not officially) as Ladies' Day. Contrary to popular belief the actual title of the race does not include the word "Ascot". In 2016 it will be run as "the Gold Cup in Honour of The Queen's 90th Birthday".
History
The event established in 1807, and it was originally open to horses aged three or older. The inaugural winner, Master Jackey, was awarded prize money of 100 guineas. The first race took place in the presence of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
The 1844 running was attended by Nicholas I of Russia, who was making a state visit to England. That year's winner was unnamed at the time of his victory, but he was given the name "The Emperor" in honour of the visiting monarch. In return Nicholas offered a new trophy for the race — the "Emperor's Plate" — and this became the title of the event for a short period. Its original name was restored after nine years, during the Crimean War.
The Gold Cup is the first leg of Britain's Stayers' Triple Crown, followed by the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup. The last horse to win all three races in the same year was Double Trigger in 1995.
The Gold Cup is one of three perpetual trophies at the Royal Ascot meeting, along with the Royal Hunt Cup and the Queen's Vase, which can be kept permanently by the winning owners. A number of horses have won it more than once, and the most successful is Yeats, who recorded his fourth victory in 2009.
Records
Most successful horse (4 wins):
Leading jockey (11 wins):
Leading trainer (7 wins):
Leading owner (7 wins): (includes part ownership)
Winners
a The race was abandoned in 1964 because of waterlogging
b c Rock Roi finished first in 1971 and 1972, but he was disqualified both times
d Royal Gait was first in 1988, but he was relegated to last place following a stewards' inquiry
e The 2005 running took place at York
* The race was run at Newmarket during the wartime periods of 1917–18 and 1941–44.