More Ascot joy for Trawlerman in G1 British Champions Long Distance Cup

Trawlerman capped a perfect European season with another top staying prize as he tenaciously denied Sweet William in the G1 British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot, UK, on Saturday, 18 October.

The John & Thady Gosden-trained seven-year-old was returning to the scene of his dominant victory in the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, having also annexed the G3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown Park in May and York’s G2 Lonsdale Cup in August.

Smartly into his stride in the two-mile contest, Trawlerman led the five-strong field before Al Qareem took up the running and went on into a length and a half advantage after the first two furlongs.

Trawlerman loomed up on the outside of Al Qareem over half a mile out and was sent on by William Buick soon after, with the son of Golden Horn opening up three lengths over his rivals at the top of the straight.

The Godolphin stayer bounded further clear passing the two-furlong pole but had to be kept up to his work as Sweet William made late inroads, with a length and a half separating the duo at the line.

John Gosden said: “I think Trawlerman was at his imperious best in the Gold Cup, and today he might not have been totally. Sweet William ran a blinder. They are two lovely horses, great staying horses and part of the family at home.

“When they go to take a pull and take a breather, that's when Trawlerman says 'no, we're running two miles at a proper gallop, we're not fiddling about'. Coming into the straight, he probably idled a little bit but, on the other hand, Sweet William was running on, so it was a great performance from both of them.

“We will put Trawlerman away now and bring him out next year and get a run in before the Gold Cup. That would be the plan. Trawlerman is a relentless galloper, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with him. It’s late in the year for him, too - he’s been on the go for a long time, but it was a great performance.”

William Buick added: “Trawlerman is a superstar. I'm delighted for him that he can cap his year off in such a style. He goes out there, wears his heart on his sleeve and he's a proper horse and a joy to ride.”