Ayr Gold Cup
The Ayr Gold Cup is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ayr over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.
Handicap race | |
Location | Ayr Racecourse Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1804 |
Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
Sponsor | QTS |
Website | Ayr |
Race information | |
Distance | 6f (1,207 metres) |
Surface | Turf |
Track | Straight |
Qualification | Three-years-old and up |
Weight | Handicap |
Purse | £75,000 (2020) 1st: £46,688 |
2020 | ||
Nahaarr | Spanish City | Mr Lupton |
Previous years | ||
---|---|---|
2019 | ||
Angel Alexander | Growl | Gulliver |
2018 | ||
Son Of Rest | Baron Bolt | Flying Pursuit |
2017 | ||
Donjuan Triumphant | Stake Acclaim | Ice Age |
2016 | ||
Brando | Growl | Hoof It |
2015 | ||
Don't Touch | Poyle Vinnie | Ninjago |
2014 | ||
Louis The Pious | Minalisa | Blaine |
2013 | ||
Highland Colori | Louis The Pious | Jack Dexter |
2012 | ||
Captain Ramius | Regal Parade | Maarek |
2011 | ||
Our Jonathan | Eton Rifles | Son Of The Cat |
2010-2001 | ||
---|---|---|
2010 | ||
Redford | Victoire De Lyphar | Hitchens |
2009 | ||
Jimmy Styles | Barney McGrew | Knot In Wood |
2008 | ||
Regal Parade | Tajneed | Confuchias |
2007 | ||
Advanced | Benwilt Breeze | Patavellian |
2006 | ||
Fonthill Road | Borderlescott | Advanced |
2005 | ||
Presto Shinko | Fonthill Road | Majestic Times |
2004 | ||
Funfair Wane | Fantasy Believer | Continent |
2003 | ||
Quito | Seel of Approval | Fire Up The Band |
2002 | ||
Funfair Wane | The Tatling | Abbajabba |
2001 | ||
Continent | Brevity | Smokin Beau |
2000-1991 | ||
---|---|---|
2000 | ||
Bahamian Pirate | Lago Di Varano | Guinea Hunter |
1999 | ||
Grangeville | Evening Promise | Royal Result |
1998 | ||
Always Alight | Daring Destiny | Lago Di Varano |
1997 | ||
Wildwood Flower | Double Action | Superior Premium |
1996 | ||
Coastal Bluff | Mr Bergerac | Prince Babar |
1995 | ||
Royale Figurine | No Extras | Patto |
1994 | ||
Daring Destiny | Alzianah | Hard To Figure |
1993 | ||
Hard To Figure | Truthful Image | Venture Capitalist |
1992 | ||
Lochsong | Echo-Logical | Heather Bank |
1991 | ||
Sarcita | Tbab | Dominuet |
1990-1988 | ||
---|---|---|
1990 | ||
Final Shot | Bertie Wooster | Local Lass |
1989 | ||
Joveworth | Chaplins Club | Ajanac |
1988 | ||
So Careful | Chaplins Club | Foolish Touch |
History
The event was established in 1804, and it was originally held at Ayr's former racecourse at Belleisle. In the early part of its history it was restricted to horses bred and trained in Scotland. It was initially contested over two separate heats of two miles, and was subsequently a single race with a two-mile distance.
The Ayr Gold Cup became a handicap in 1855, and it was shortened to about a mile in 1870. The Belleisle track closed in 1907, and the race was relocated and cut to 6 furlongs in 1908.
The lightest winning weight in the race since it became a sprint is 6 st 13 lb (44 kg). This was carried to victory by Marmaduke Jinks in 1936. The heaviest is 10 st (63½ kg), the burden of Roman Warrior in 1975. The latter horse, trained at Ayr by Nigel Angus, is the most recent winner trained in Scotland.
The field for the Ayr Gold Cup is formed from the highest-weighted horses entered for the race. The maximum number of runners is currently twenty-seven. Those eliminated are now offered the chance to compete in the Ayr Silver Cup, a consolation race introduced in 1992. An event for horses excluded from that race, the Ayr Bronze Cup, was established in 2009.
Records
Most successful horse (3 wins):
- Dazzle – 1889, 1890, 1891
Leading jockey (4 wins):
- Tom Nicholson – Dominie Skelp (1827), Brunswick (1830), Gondolier (1831), Masetto (1834)
- William Noble – Despot (1836), The Doctor (1840), The Recorder (1842), The Shadow (1843)
- (note: the jockeys of some of the early winners are unknown)
Leading trainer (15 wins):
- Tom Dawson – Inheritor (1835, 1838), Despot (1836, 1837), The Doctor (1840), Doctor Caius (1841), The Recorder (1842), The Shadow (1843, 1844), Inheritress (1845, 1846), Stilton (1852), Itch (1854), Tabouret (1868), Good Hope (1869)
- (note: the trainers of some of the early winners are unknown)
Winners since 1980
- Weights given in stones and pounds.
Year | Winner | Age | Weight | Jockey | Trainer | SP | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1980 | Sparkling Boy | 3 | 9-02 | John Lowe | Paul Kelleway | 15/1 | |
1981 | First Movement | 3 | 7-10 | Mick Miller | Geoff Huffer | 14/1 | |
1982 | Famous Star | 3 | 7-07 | Paul Eddery | Michael Albina | 13/2 | |
1983 | Polly's Brother | 5 | 8-03 | Kevin Hodgson | Peter Easterby | 11/1 | |
1984 | Able Albert | 4 | 8-06 | Mark Birch | Peter Easterby | 9/1 | |
1985 | Camps Heath | 4 | 7-09 | Wendyll Woods | Frankie Durr | 14/1 | |
1986 | Green Ruby | 5 | 8-11 | John Williams | Toby Balding | 25/1 | 1:10.60 |
1987 | Not So Silly | 3 | 7-10 | Gary Bardwell | Alan Bailey | 12/1 | 1:15.29 |
1988 | So Careful | 5 | 7-07 | Nicky Carlisle | Jack Berry | 33/1 | 1:14.54 |
1989 | Joveworth | 6 | 8-00 | Jimmy Fortune | Mike O'Neill | 50/1 | 1:14.92 |
1990 | Final Shot | 3 | 8-02 | John Lowe | Peter Easterby | 12/1 | 1:13.80 |
1991 | Sarcita | 3 | 8-10 | Brett Doyle | David Elsworth | 14/1 | 1:09.36 |
1992 | Lochsong | 4 | 9-00 | Francis Arrowsmith | Ian Balding | 10/1 | 1:15.51 |
1993 | Hard to Figure | 7 | 9-06 | Ray Cochrane | Ron Hodges | 12/1 | 1:09.05 |
1994 | Daring Destiny | 3 | 8-00 | Jason Tate | Karl Burke | 18/1 | 1:14.61 |
1995 | Royale Figurine | 4 | 8-09 | Darryll Holland | M. Fetherston-Godley | 8/1 | 1:11.11 |
1996 | Coastal Bluff | 4 | 9-10 | Jimmy Fortune | David Barron | 3/1 F | 1:09.54 |
1997 | Wildwood Flower | 4 | 9-03 | Dane O'Neill | Richard Hannon Sr. | 14/1 | 1:11.64 |
1998 | Always Alight | 4 | 8-07 | John Egan | Karl Burke | 16/1 | 1:16.12 |
1999 | Grangeville | 4 | 9-00 | Kieren Fallon | Ian Balding | 11/1 | 1:11.16 |
2000 | Bahamian Pirate | 5 | 8-00 | Adrian Nicholls | David Nicholls | 33/1 | 1:13.47 |
2001 | Continent | 4 | 8-10 | Darryll Holland | David Nicholls | 10/1 | 1:09.70 |
2002 | Funfair Wane | 3 | 9-03 | Adrian Nicholls | David Nicholls | 16/1 | 1:11.76 |
2003 | Quito | 6 | 8-06 | Tony Culhane | David Chapman | 20/1 | 1:09.90 |
2004 | Funfair Wane | 5 | 8-06 | Paul Doe | David Nicholls | 33/1 | 1:16.15 |
2005 | Presto Shinko | 4 | 9-02 | Seb Sanders | Richard Hannon Sr. | 12/1 | 1:12.45 |
2006 | Fonthill Road | 6 | 9-02 | Paul Hanagan | Richard Fahey | 16/1 | 1:12.70 |
2007 | Advanced | 4 | 9-09 | Jamie Spencer | Kevin Ryan | 20/1 | 1:12.91 |
2008 | Regal Parade | 4 | 8-10 | William Carson, Jr. | David Nicholls | 18/1 | 1:15.48 |
2009 | Jimmy Styles | 5 | 9-02 | Frankie Dettori | Clive Cox | 14/1 | 1:11.35 |
2010 | Redford | 5 | 9-02 | Frankie Dettori | David Nicholls | 14/1 | 1:10.26 |
2011 | Our Jonathan | 4 | 9-06 | Franny Norton | Kevin Ryan | 11/1 | 1:15.35 |
2012 | Captain Ramius | 6 | 9-00 | Pat Smullen | Kevin Ryan | 16/1 | 1:14.13 |
2013 | Highland Colori | 5 | 8-13 | Oisin Murphy | Andrew Balding | 20/1 | 1:12.65 |
2014 | Louis the Pious | 6 | 9-04 | James Doyle | David O'Meara | 10/1 | 1:09.53 |
2015 | Don't Touch | 3 | 9-01 | Tony Hamilton | Richard Fahey | 6/1 F | 1:10.93 |
2016 | Brando | 4 | 9-10 | Tom Eaves | Kevin Ryan | 11/1 | 1:13.12 |
2017 | Donjuan Triumphant[lower-alpha 1] | 4 | 9-10 | P. J. McDonald | Andrew Balding | 13/2 | 1:17.10 |
2018 (dh) |
Baron Bolt Son of Rest |
5 4 |
8-12 9-03 |
Cameron Noble Chris Hayes |
Paul Cole Fozzy Stack |
28/1 5/1 F |
1:14.77 |
2019 | Angel Alexander | 3 | 8-13 | Richard Kingscote | Tom Dascombe | 28/1 | 1.09.26 |
2020 | Naharr | 4 | 9-05 | Tom Marquand | William Haggas | 7/2 F | 1:11.65 |
- The 2017 running was held at Haydock due to a waterlogged course at Ayr.[1]
Earlier winners
- 1804: Chancellor
- 1805: Chancellor
- 1806: Young Newbyth
- 1807: Juno
- 1808: Young Daffodil
- 1809: Bit of Tartan
- 1810: colt by John Bull
- 1811: Ayrshire Lass
- 1812: Ardrossan
- 1813: Snodgrass
- 1814: Ardrossan
- 1815: Marquis
- 1816: Kate Kearney
- 1817: Glengary
- 1818: Sans Culottes
- 1819: Monreith
- 1820: Chance
- 1821: colt by Stamford
- 1822: colt by Viscount
- 1823: Lancer
- 1824: Stratherne
- 1825: Lancer
- 1826: Robin Hood
- 1827: Dominie Skelp
- 1828: Mary
- 1829: Spadassin
- 1830: Brunswick
- 1831: Gondolier
- 1832: Vyvyan
- 1833: Philip
- 1834: Masetto
- 1835: Inheritor
- 1836: Despot
- 1837: Despot
- 1838: Inheritor
- 1839: Lanercost
- 1840: The Doctor
- 1841: Doctor Caius
- 1842: The Recorder
- 1843: The Shadow
- 1844: The Shadow
- 1845: Inheritress
- 1846: Inheritress
- 1847: Eryx
- 1848: Chanticleer
- 1849: Glen Saddel
- 1850: Elthiron
- 1851: Elthiron
- 1852: Stilton
- 1853: Testator
- 1854: Itch
- 1855: John Dory
- 1856: The Assayer
- 1857: Gathercole
- 1858: Trip the Daisy
- 1859: Susannah
- 1860: Greta
- 1861: Bloomsbury
- 1862: Little Captain
- 1863: Bohemian
- 1864: Newchurch
- 1865: Nothing More
- 1866: Fitzroy
- 1867: Miss Havelock
- 1868: Tabouret
- 1869: Good Hope
- 1870: Lady of Lyons
- 1871: Irregularity
- 1872: Alaric
- 1873: Lord Derby
- 1874: Servia
- 1875: Munden
- 1876: Coltness
- 1877: Ivy
- 1878: Sutler
- 1879: Umbria
- 1880: Strathblane
- 1881: Heath Bird
- 1882: Tita
- 1883: Tibicen
- 1884: Perdita
- 1885: Daylight
- 1886: Daylight
- 1887: Mirth
- 1888: Reverie
- 1889: Dazzle
- 1890: Dazzle
- 1891: Dazzle
- 1892: Horton
- 1893: Once More
- 1894: Mimram
- 1895: Linton
- 1896: Athel
- 1897: Athel
- 1898: Gyp
- 1899: Portebella
- 1900: Child Waters
- 1901: Caedmon
- 1902: Lovetin
- 1903: Kirkbride
- 1904: King's Birthday
- 1905: Kilglass
- 1906: Cyrus
- 1907: Charis
- 1908: Raeberry
- 1909: Alwine
- 1910: Raeberry
- 1911: Saucy John
- 1912: Grammont
- 1913: Borrow
- 1914–16: no race
- 1917: Wayward
- 1918: no race
- 1919: Beresina
- 1920: Forest Guard
- 1921: Self Sacrifice
- 1922: Soldennis
- 1923: Baydon
- 1924: Westmead
- 1925: Phalaros
- 1926: Lord Wembley
- 1927: Martenax
- 1928: Nothing Venture
- 1929: Tommy Atkins
- 1930: Heronslea
- 1931: Heronslea
- 1932: Solenoid
- 1933: Ken Hill
- 1934: Figaro
- 1935: Greenore
- 1936: Marmaduke Jinks
- 1937: Daytona
- 1938: Old Reliance
- 1939–45: no race
- 1946: Royal Charger
- 1947: Kilbelin
- 1948: Como
- 1949: Irish Dance
- 1950: First Consul
- 1951: Fair Seller
- 1952: Vatellus
- 1953: Blue Butterfly
- 1954: Orthopaedic
- 1955: Hook Money
- 1956: Precious Heather
- 1957: Jacintha
- 1958: Rhythmic
- 1959: Whistling Victor
- 1960: Dawn Watch
- 1961: Klondyke Bill
- 1962: Janeat
- 1963: Egualita
- 1964: Compensation
- 1965: Kamundu
- 1966: Milesius
- 1967: Be Friendly
- 1968: Petite Path
- 1969: Brief Star
- 1970: John Splendid
- 1971: Royben
- 1972: Swinging Junior
- 1973: Blue Cashmere
- 1974: Somersway
- 1975: Roman Warrior
- 1976: Last Tango
- 1977: Jon George
- 1978: Vaigly Great
- 1979: Primula Boy
References
- "Ayr Gold Cup to be run at Haydock on Saturday, 30 September". BBC Sport. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- Paris-Turf:
- Racing Post:
- galopp-sieger.de – Ayr Gold Cup.
- pedigreequery.com – Ayr Gold Cup – Ayr.
- Abelson, Edward; John Tyrrel (1993). The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. pp. 183–185. ISBN 1-873626-15-0.
- Race Recordings