Dazzling Godolphin double as Trawlerman shatters course record
On a sun-splashed Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot, Dubai's unstoppable Godolphin stable reigned supreme with a thrilling double crowned by a record-breaking Gold Cup (G1) triumph from Trawlerman and a landmark victory for Saeed bin Suroor in the Britannia Stakes.
The highlight came in the day's showpiece race when Trawlerman, last year's gallant runner-up, bounced back to claim British racing's most prestigious and biggest staying prize, at the historic meeting clocking a new track record time of 4m 15.02s.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the seven-year-old gelded son of 2015 Epsom Derby hero Golden Horn, broke the previous Gold Cup best set by Rite Of Passage in 2010 by nearly two seconds.
Ridden with supreme confidence by William Buick, Trawlerman made all the running, dictating a perfect pace and never looking back. When Illinois, the Aidan O'Brien-trained second favourite loomed into contention, Buick shook the reins and the response was electric.
Trawlerman, a seven-year-old gelding by 2015 Epsom Derby hero Golden Horn, powered clear to win by seven commanding lengths, with Bin Suroor's Dubai Gold Cup (G1) winner Dubai Future finishing third, also in the royal blue silks of Godolphin, the stable created by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 1993.
'I was just a passenger,' said a jubilant Buick, celebrating his first Gold Cup success and second winner of the week after Ombudsman on Wednesday 'He's got an extraordinary engine and the heart of a lion.
"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 speed and he stays well so I was just a passenger,' Buick added as he celebrated his first Gold Cup and a second winner of the week.'He's a great horse.'
It marked Godolphin's first Gold Cup since Papineau in 2004 and added to a legacy that includes staying greats Kayf Tara (2000) and Classic Cliché (1998). It was also a fifth Gold Cup for John Gosden, reinforcing his reputation as a master of stayers.
'He just does it all with rhythm and heart,' said Gosden Sr. "I didn't enjoy it [the final furlong] because anything can happen, you never know until they cross the line.
'It's absolutely amazing. He's the most grand, lovely horse, he really is.'
In a sport where endurance is king, Trawlerman cemented his place among flat racing's elite stayers with a master class in front-running tactics to win the storied Gold Cup underscoring a remarkable consistency at the top level.
Buick, claiming his first Gold Cup win, set the pace from the outset, dictating fractions with precision and never allowing his rivals a chance to close the gap. It was a performance that was a textbook exhibition of one of the most demanding trips in flat racing.
The Ascot Gold Cup, inaugurated in 1807, stands as the ultimate test of stamina in flat racing and is a race steeped in tradition and prestige. Over more than two centuries, it has crowned some of the sport's most iconic stayers who have left a lasting imprint on racing history.
At the pinnacle of this elite group is Yeats, trained by Aidan O'Brien and more recently, Stradivarius captured the public imagination with his thrilling hat-trick of wins from 2018 to 2020 under Frankie Dettori. The turn of the millennium saw Kayf Tara dominate for Godolphin, while Classic Cliché and Royal Rebel added to the stab;e's rich legacy.
Earlier in the afternoon, Arabian Story exploded through the field in the Britannia Stakes to hand legendary trainer Saeed bin Suroor his 40th Royal Ascot winner - a milestone moment for Godolphin's most decorated trainer from Dubai. The colt, ridden to perfection by jockey Kevin Stott, delivered a flying finish down the stand side rails, denying his rivals in the shadow of the post.
'Royal Ascot has always been special to me,' said bin Suroor. 'To win 40 races here for Godolphin is an honour, and Arabian Story is one for the future.
'He's improving with every run and now we'll look to step him up to Group race company. I think he's earned that and deserves to take his chance in higher company.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Royal Ascot: Shock winners steal spotlight as Dubai contenders look for final flourish
If racing fans needed a reminder of Royal Ascot's unpredictable magic, it arrived in the form of two sensational upsets in the meeting's marquee races - the Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) and the Coronation Stakes (Group 1). On a day when favourites faltered and longshots dominated, it was a celebration of the openness that defines this prestigious turf spectacle where every horse, every trainer, and every dream has a chance of becoming a reality. The feature event for three-year-old fillies, the Coronation Stakes (Group 1), delivered a fairytale outcome for the Irish contingent. Cercene, a 33-1 outsider trained by Tipperary-based Joseph Murphy and ridden with determination by Gary Carroll, pulled off one of the most memorable wins of the meeting. In a race billed as a duel between French star Zarigani and British hope Falakeyah, it was Cercene who stole the headlines, battling back bravely to deny the odds-on favourite and etch her name into Royal Ascot folklore. It was a moment of personal and professional pride for Carroll, who twice claimed Ireland's champion apprentice title and comes from a lineage steeped in racing. His father, John Carroll, was one of the first British jockeys to wear the Godolphin silks and notably won the 2002 UAE 1,000 Guineas aboard Infinite Spirit at Nad Al Sheba racecourse in Dubai. The Senior Carroll's early contributions in Dubai helped lay the groundwork for Godolphin's global success - a legacy echoed in his son's Royal Ascot triumph. Earlier in the day, Harry Eustace's remarkable week continued when Time For Sandals, a 25-1 long shot, burst to Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) glory under Epsom Derby-winning jockey Richard Kingscote who won the British Classic aboard Dubai businessman Saeed Suhail's Desert Crown in 2022. The lightly raced filly, making just her third career start, stormed down the far rail to seize the lead inside the final furlong and held off Arizona Blaze and Rayevka in a thrilling finish. It marked Eustace's second Group 1 success of the meeting following Docklands's victory in the Group 1 showpiece on the opening day - the Queen Anne Stakes. In contrast, Dubai's runners endured a frustrating day but will be hoping to close out the five-day extravaganza on a high note on Saturday. The final day of the meeting offers opportunities in four of the seven races -the Chesham Stakes, Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2), Jersey Stakes (Group 3) and the Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap). All eyes will be on Godolphin and other UAE-based operations to deliver a final flourish. Meanwhile, the Royal Enclosure turned heads of its own, with Queen Camilla catching fashion-watchers' attention by carrying a classic Lady Dior handbag. Designed in 1994 by Dior's then-artistic director Gianfranco Ferré, the bag was renamed 'Lady Dior' as a tribute to Princess Diana, who famously carried it on several occasions.
Khaleej Times
12 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
GECO ME crowned champions at inaugural FMPL Season 1
The inaugural edition of the Facility Management Premier League (FMPL) – Season 1, presented by O Gold App, concluded on a high note at the DCS You Select Arena Ground in Sharjah, bringing together top facility management companies for an electrifying two-day T10 cricket tournament. Held on June 13 and 14, the championship was co-sponsored by RG Group and powered by FMPL Season 1 saw eight of the UAE's leading facility management companies battle it out in 13 action-packed matches, celebrating not only competitive spirit but also unity and camaraderie within the industry. Emerging as the undisputed champions were GECO ME, who triumphed over Al Tanmiyah Super Kings in the thrilling final match. After winning the toss, Al Tanmiyah opted to bat first and posted a respectable 75/5 in 10 overs. In response, GECO ME chased down the target in just 8.2 overs, clinching the title with a spectacular Instant Cash SIX, finishing at 76/4. For their stellar performance, GECO ME was awarded the prestigious FMPL Champion's Trophy, gold medals, and a cash prize of Dh5,000. Al Tanmiyah Super Kings were lauded with silver medals and the runner-up trophy for their commendable performance. The grand finale was graced by Abdullah Al Mamoon, vice president – HR and legal affairs (HR & OE), who attended as the chief guest. Adding a touch of glamour and elegance to the event were five prominent personalities from the fashion and pageantry world: Swati Shemil – Mrs. International Women of Substance 2023 Payal Kapoor – Runner-up at De Mehr Pageant, Miss Fashionista, and International Fashion Idol Dhairya Salla – Miss UAE International Runner-Up Prutha Pawar Kaul – Mrs. India Middle East 2023 Tournament highlights: Man of the Match (Final): Asif Hayat – GECO ME Most Runs: Abu Bakar Siddiqi – GECO ME (89 runs from 37 balls) Best Bowler: Muddassir – White Spot (7 wickets, economy 3.33) Best Batsman: Zeeshan – Khansaheb Engineering (151 runs overall) Best Fielder / Most Dismissals: Afzal – Serve U Man of the Series: Mohammed Waleed – Al Tanmiyah Super Kings The entire event was seamlessly conceptualised and executed by Trendz Events – Powered by Farnek, under the visionary leadership of Karthik Vijayamani, managing director of Trendz Events. His initiative to unite the facility management community through the power of sports has set a new benchmark in the industry. Following the overwhelming success of Season 1, FMPL Season 2 is already in the works and is scheduled for February 2026. With high anticipation and growing participation, the next edition promises to be bigger, bolder, and even more competitive.
Khaleej Times
13 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
The Heart of Godolphin: Saeed bin Suroor's 40th Royal Ascot win a victory for modesty
At the regal theatre of Royal Ascot, reputations are forged with every thundering stride. Some stories echo across generations - others fade in the silence of the turf. But not this particular story. For nearly four decades, Saeed bin Suroor has been highly regarded as a master horseman and trainer known for being gracious in triumph. That familiar glint returned to his eyes on Thursday as Arabian Story thundered home in the Britannia Stakes, handing Saeed his landmark 40th Royal Ascot winner. It was a full-circle moment, almost thirty years since his first Royal Ascot triumph with So Factual in 1995. This was a milestone carved not numerically but by sheer character. Saeed's string may have shrunk from a mighty 250 to just 30 horses today yet when he talks about his horses there's a spark. 'We try to do the best with what we have,' says a vintage Saeed, with just faith. Arabian Story and jockey Oisin Murphy helped answer that faith with a barnstorming prompting Saeed to declare that the 29-year-old three-time British champion was 'the best jockey in the world.' Murphy, who has enjoyed a profitable association with Saeed was also generous in praise for Saeed, the oldest serving handler with Godolphin, the globe-trotting racing stable created by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. 'I'm over the moon to give Saeed his 40th Royal Ascot winner,' Murphy said. 'He's an incredible trainer. Very respectful. Very patient. That's what sets him apart.' When asked about his favourite Royal Ascot winner Saeed ducks the question. 'They're all special,' he says, before finally giving in: Dubai Millennium, the once-in-a-lifetime colt who dazzled in the Prince of Wales's Stakes before siring Dubawi, perhaps the greatest stallion of our time. March 25, 2000, remains one of the most iconic moments in Saeed's career as Dubai Millennium emerged as an imperious and record-setting winner of the Dubai World Cup solidifying his legendary status in global racing. And what a dream Saeed has carried: Four champion trainer at Royal Ascot, four British trainer championships, 13 Classic wins, nine Dubai World Cups, over 500 Group wins across the globe, and now 40 Royal Ascot victories - achievements that belong to the history books. Over three decades, Saeed's Royal Ascot legacy has been furnished by a string of unforgettable champions in the Godolphin blue — from the imperious Dubai Millennium in 2000 to dual Gold Cup hero Kayf Tara, the globe-trotting Fantastic Light (2001), classy miler Shamardal (2005), the versatile Benbatl (2017), and the ever-game Real World (2021). Each of them has helped cement his place as one of the most successful and respected trainers in the history of the Royal Meeting. And on Thursday, as he watched Arabian Story canter back to rapturous applause at the Royal Ascot winner's enclosure Saeed said with quiet satisfaction: 'It's nice to be back.'
