On a sun-drenched Thursday at Royal Ascot 2025, the iconic Ascot Gold Cup delivered a stunning display of stamina and strategy as Trawlerman surged to a commanding seven-length victory. The seven-year-old gelding, owned by the Dubai-based Godolphin operation and trained by John and Thady Gosden, cemented his status as the new king of staying races, stepping up to claim the crown left vacant by the retirement of the legendary Kyprios.
Last year, Trawlerman had been a valiant runner-up to Kyprios, Aidan O'Brien's dual Gold Cup champion, who was forced to retire due to injury. This year, with Kyprios absent, the stage was set for Trawlerman to seize his moment. Under the expert guidance of jockey William Buick, a Liverpool FC fan who was winning the Gold Cup for the first time, Trawlerman executed a front-running ride that proved decisive in the 2-mile-4-furlong marathon.
From the outset, Trawlerman took the lead, setting a steady but relentless pace that kept his rivals at bay. Stablemate Sweet William and O'Brien’s Illinois, last year’s Queen's Vase winner stepping up in distance, tracked closely behind. Illinois, who had prepared for the Gold Cup with a victory in the Group Two Ormonde Stakes at Chester’s May Festival, was well-positioned but ultimately lacked the stamina to match Trawlerman's relentless gallop.
Buick described the race as an "extreme distance, two and a half miles," requiring "an extraordinary horse with an extraordinary set of skills." He praised Trawlerman's lung capacity and stamina, noting, "He got in a great rhythm – it’s a tough thing to do, be in front for two and a half miles like that, but he’s so genuine. I knew he would stay, which is a big help. It’s taken me a long time to win this – I knew he was the right horse, I just hoped I would get it right on him."
The race unfolded as Trawlerman gradually pulled clear on the turn for home, ultimately crossing the finish line seven lengths ahead of Illinois. Third place went to Dubai Future, another Godolphin contender trained by Saeed bin Suroor, who came from the rear to secure his position but finished a further seven lengths behind Illinois.
John Gosden expressed relief and admiration for his charge, saying, "I didn’t enjoy [the final furlong] because anything can happen, you never know until they cross the line. He’s part of the furniture you know. It’s absolutely amazing. He’s the most grand, lovely horse he really is. The other horse, Sweet William, they’re great old friends." Gosden also highlighted the tactical approach, referencing Trawlerman's similar front-running success in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown the previous month.
With Kyprios retired, the staying division has seen a shift in hierarchy. Illinois, who was initially trained as a mile-and-a-half horse and only switched to the Gold Cup following Kyprios's retirement, is expected to challenge Trawlerman again in the Goodwood Cup next month, a race run over two miles, four furlongs shorter than the Ascot Gold Cup. O'Brien reflected on Illinois's performance, noting, "He got tired at the two-furlong pole today, like a lot of horses do, and we will soon see if we can improve him another little bit for this distance. It shows how good Kyprios was as Trawlerman had been second to him a couple of times, I think."
Dubai Future’s trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, was pleased with the gelding’s staying effort and indicated plans to focus on two-mile and stayer races, possibly including Goodwood. He said, "He ran really well and he stayed. Now we will drop him back to two-mile races and stayer races, maybe Goodwood. I said to James McDonald to drop him in and get him to relax, but also that as a Dubawi, he must have speed – he’s an amazing horse who has won over a mile and a half and a mile and a quarter."
The Gold Cup was the centerpiece of Royal Ascot’s third day, popularly known as Ladies’ Day, though the racecourse itself does not officially brand it as such. The day was marked by sweltering temperatures reaching 31°C, with concerns about heat affecting both horses and spectators. The going was officially rated as Good to Firm on the straight course and Good to Firm, good in places on the round course, with GoingStick readings indicating a fast surface conducive to strong performances.
Royal Ascot’s prestigious card also featured notable victories in other races. Aidan O’Brien’s two-year-old Charles Darwin powered to a smooth win in the Norfolk Stakes, further bolstering O'Brien's impressive week at the meeting. Trinity College, ridden by Ryan Moore, triumphed in the Hampton Court Stakes, while Never So Brave secured victory in the Buckingham Palace Stakes. These results underscore the depth of talent and competition present throughout the Royal Ascot festival.
The Gosdens have enjoyed a spectacular week, with five winners including Field Of Gold in the St James's Palace Stakes and Ombudsman in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes earlier in the meeting. John Gosden’s fifth victory in a Royal Ascot feature with Trawlerman adds to this remarkable run of success.
Looking ahead, the rivalry between Trawlerman and Illinois is set to intensify at the Glorious Goodwood Festival, where the Goodwood Cup offers a slightly shorter but equally demanding test. The Gold Cup victory not only highlights Trawlerman’s exceptional staying ability but also marks a significant moment in the transition of the staying division following Kyprios’s retirement.
As the Royal Ascot meeting continues, racing enthusiasts will watch closely to see how these top stayers perform in upcoming fixtures, while the excitement and pageantry of one of the world’s premier racing events persist under the summer sun.
