Galileo’s Kyprios is All Gold at Royal Ascot

[Wandering Eyes]

While copper has its origins in his moniker, Ballydoyle's star stayer Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Polished Gem {Ire}, by Danehill) was all gold after adding to his 2022 triumph in a thrilling renewal of Thursday's G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, becoming the first to regain his crown in the 2 1/2-mile contest since Kayf Tara (GB) (Sadler's Wells) did so at the turn of the century. His one-length victory provided Aidan O'Brien with a record-extending ninth edition, while Ryan Moore, now on four, remains some way shy of Lester Piggott's haul of 11.

Kyprios stalked familiar foe Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) through the early fractions, but slipped back one spot to third before halfway. Regaining second on the home turn, the 11-10 favourite eyeballed the long-time leader approaching the final furlong and dug deep to deny that tenacious rival in game fashion nearing the line. The front two had it all to themselves inside the final quarter-mile, with Trawlerman's John and Thady Gosden stablemate Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) finishing five lengths back in third.

Kyprios went unbeaten through a six-race 2022 campaign, reeling off four straight Group 1s after opening that year with wins in the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes and G3 Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes. On an enforced sabbatical for almost one year after an extravagant score in the G1 Prix du Cadran, he ran second in September's G1 Irish St Leger and again, to a resurgent Trawlerman, in October's G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup. Kyprios followed a familiar route this year and notched repeat victories in the Vintage Crop and Saval Beg Levmoss in preparation for this date with destiny.

Pedigree Notes
Kyprios is the latest of 10 foals, all winners, produced by dual Broodmare of the Year Polished Gem (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself out of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Trusted Partner (Affirmed). Trusted Partner is the third dam of Wednesday's G2 Queen Mary victrix Leovanni (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}). Kyprios is kin to seven black-type winners headed by dual G1 Irish St Leger heroine Search For A Song (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes-winning sire Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and G2 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes victrix Sapphire (Ire) (Medicean {GB}). Descendants of Polished Gem, a full-sister to GI Matriarch Stakes heroine Dress To Thrill (Ire), also include G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes hero Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Kyprios's third dam, the GI Matron Stakes and GI Spinaway Stakes-winning US champion Talking Picture (Speak John), is the ancestress of G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Sydney Cup hero Gallante (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}).

 

Kyprios regains his Gold Cup crown! @Ascot #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/j5R3iEbW0x

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 20, 2024

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