By US Racing Team
Of the six races set for Royal Ascot on Thursday, the about 2 ½-mile Gold Cup (GI) is the main attraction and the lone group 1 on the day. The race, which used to be known as the “Ascot Gold Cup” but was renamed to just “Gold Cup” in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday in 2016, is probably Europe’s most prestigious event for “stayers” or horses who like to run the marathon distances. Since U.S. racing doesn’t support distance races like the Gold Cup outside of steeplechasing, it’s a bit of a foreign event and a rare treat for American racing fans.
The beautiful and warm weather in Berkshire is expected to continue on Thursday and the afternoon is expected to be dry, with highs in the mid-70s.
The first race and though only a group 2 can be argued to be the co-feature on the day is the Norfolk Stakes (GIIT), the first major race for juveniles on the European racing card. It is a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win & You’re In” event, which earns the winner a spot in the starting gate for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (GIT) at Santa Anita in November.
Some well-known names globally have visited the Royal Ascot winner’s circle after a Norfolk Score since the race was first run in 1843 as the New Stakes. It was renamed in 1973 in honor of the Duke of Norfolk and has been a third-day staple for the meeting since. A long list of standout names grace the record books as winners of the five-furlong dash, including Turtle Creek, Lucky Lionel, No Nay Never and Johannesburg.
A field of 16 promising juveniles, including Keeneland debut winner American Rascal, will run in the £100,000 Norfolk. Wesley Ward, who send out No Nay Never to win in 2013 and Shang Shang Shang in 2015, will tighten the girth on American Rascal, a Stonestreet Stables homebred and the son of 2017 King’s Stand Stakes (GIT) winner Lady Aurelia. Joel Rosario will ride.
The bookmakers have made undefeated Lotto National S. winner Elite Status (GB) the the early favorite. Karl Burke trains the son of Havana Grey (GB). American-based George Weaver, whose Crimson Advocate won the Queen Mary S. (GIIIT) on Wednesday, sends out Gulfstream’s Royal Palm Juvenile S. winner No Nay Mets after the No Nay Never colt sold just three days ago for $1.025 million at the Goffs London Sale.
Ballydoyle will be represented by His Majesty (Ire), a son of Royal Ascot winner No Nay Never who was third in the Marble Hill S. (GIIIT) in his last start.
Post time for the Norfolk will be 9:30 a.m. ET.
In the Gold Cup, which is the afternoon’s fourth, Coltrane (Ire), the winner of the Gold Cup prep – the Sagaro S. (GIIIT) in May – is the early favorite for trainer Andrew Balding. The Mastercraftsman (Ire) gelding won the Heritage H. over this course a year ago and is justly favored here.
The 4-year-old filly Emily Dickinson (Ire) represents the Ballydoyle team and the daughter of Dubawi (Ire), who won a listed stakes in her 2023 debut, was sixth in the Levmoss S. (GIIIT) in her last start at Leopardstown two back and needs her best here.
Post time for the Gold Cup will be 11:20 p.m. ET.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
