The King and Queen took centre stage at Royal Ascot on Thursday afternoon as they presented the Gold Cup to the connections of Scandinavia following one of the most dramatic renewals of the race in recent memory.
Their Majesties arrived in the parade ring to loud applause after witnessing a pulsating finish in the meeting’s showpiece event, with the Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old prevailing by a head from defending champion Trawlerman.
In a race already being hailed as one of the contests of the season, Scandinavia and Trawlerman drew clear of the field in a stirring battle up the Ascot straight, with Ryan Moore producing the decisive challenge in the closing strides to snatch victory.
As the winner returned to the winner’s enclosure to the roars of the crowd, King Charles III and Queen Camilla greeted the victorious connections before presenting the famous Gold Cup.
Ryan Moore MBE received his prize from Their Majesties, while trainer Aidan O’Brien celebrated not only a 10th success in the Gold Cup but also a remarkable century of winners at Royal Ascot.
The achievement was recognised by the King and Queen, who presented O’Brien with a commemorative saddlecloth bearing the number ‘100’ to mark the historic milestone.
It was a fitting tribute to the master of Ballydoyle, whose association with Royal Ascot stretches back nearly three decades and whose dominance of the meeting shows no signs of waning.
Scandinavia’s victory etched another new name onto the Gold Cup roll of honour and denied last year’s winner Trawlerman a second consecutive triumph.
For the thousands packed into Ascot’s grandstands, the race itself provided unforgettable theatre. Long-time leader Trawlerman appeared poised to retain his crown before the younger challenger, ridden with supreme confidence by Moore, surged alongside in the dying strides.
The pair crossed the line locked together, with Scandinavia emerging victorious by a head after two and a half miles of racing excellence.
