Golden Horn’s outstanding staying son Trawlerman stamped his class on Royal Ascot’s most prestigious contest when posting a gate-to-wire triumph in the Gold Cup for Godolphin.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the seven-year-old just keeps improving and, turning for home under William Buick, victory never looked in doubt as he lowered the course record by almost two seconds.
His delighted rider, who was winning the Gold Cup for the first time, hailed Trawlerman a “great horse”.
Buick added, “He’s so genuine. I was so happy with this fellow when he won at Sandown so he had a beautiful prep into this and he was just so smooth throughout the race; 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 went on autopilot, he knows his own speed and he stays well so I was just a passenger.”
Trawlerman, bred by Godolphin from the Monsun mare Tidespring, is now the winner of nine of his 21 starts and almost £1.5 million in prize-money. His previous biggest triumph had also come at Ascot in the G2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.
In 2025, Golden Horn, the perfect sire for all seasons, is also responsible for the Cheltenham Festival heroes Golden Ace, winner of the Champion Hurdle, and Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros.
