Feature Story

Luxembourg goes gate to post in Gold Cup win

Luxembourg goes gate to post in Gold Cup win May 28, 2023

By Duane Fonseca

 

Legendary Irish handler Aidan O’Brien won a 10th Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup after Luxembourg went gate to post, denying a late challenge from Bay Bridge towards the end to win the 2100m contest at The Curragh Sunday evening.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, the 4yo Camelot colt broke well and held sway throughout, easily fending off a last-gasp charge from Sir Michael Stoute’s Bar Bridge the ride of Richard Kingscote. Donnacha O’Brien’s Piz Badile was a further six lengths back in third under Gavin Ryan.

The victory was also O’Brien’s 400th top-tier winner (including 22 over jumps) of his career and he said: “That’s hard work from so many people and the lads put so much in day in day out. We are just a small part of a big team and I’m delighted for everybody.

“That was a masterclass from Ryan. He’s confident, mature, dedicated, passionate and he’s very strong. He has everything and is a great fellow to work with.

“He was happy to make the running and happy to take a lead. The horse gets a mile and a quarter very strong.

“The last day was his first day and we were happy to sit in.

“When a horse is happy to make the running they are very independent and you are not at the mercy of anybody. Ryan guided him through all the fractions.

“He went to the (Irish) Champion Stakes after a terrible preparation. He then went to the Arc on bad ground after that hard preparation and it was always possible that he would be as good.

“The lads had the patience to leave him alone and he’s a very serious horse. He’s not for kids, he’s a hardy customer. He’s tough and has loads of class.”

 


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