Kyprios rounds off special season with QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup success

Aidan O’ Brien’s staying star rounded off an unbeaten campaign with a stylish victory in the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup.

Stablemate The Euphrates raced keenly through the early stages of the contest, setting a brisk gallop at the head of affairs whilst 2023 champion Trawlerman sat prominently, alongside the hot favourite Kyprios. Sweet William also raced towards the front of the pack, bustled up to take closer order by Rab Havlin after the son of Sea The Stars dwelt from the starting stalls.

It was evident from some way out that Coolmore’s Kyprios moved best in the hands of Ryan Moore and as the nine-strong field turned for home. The Euphrates quickly gave way and the stage was once again set for Moore’s mount to assert and that he did, springing clear early on in the home straight. Normandie Stud’s homebred Sweet William quickly set off in pursuit of the hot favourite and briefly looked to mount a challenge inside the final two furlongs.

Ultimately however, the Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup victor was simply unable to overhaul Ballydoyle’s eight-time Group 1 winner, falling by two-and-a-quarter lengths at the winning post.

Trawlerman plugged on to finish a valiant third place whilst the fancied Al Nayyir was well beaten, crossing the line in fifth.

On the winner, the Master of Ballydoyle was keen to emphasise his delight, exclaiming that “he’s a very special horse, something that we have never seen before.