2026 Ascot Gold Cup Results - Scandinavia beats Trawlerman in Royal dust up
The 2026 Ascot Gold Cup at Royal Ascot saw Scandinavia snatch a dramatic win from last year's champion Trawlerman in an intense neck-and-neck finish. With a strong field, O'Brien’s Scandinavia edged Trawlerman in the final 100 yards, with Sweet William taking third. The victory marks an historic milestone, as it brought up Aidan O’Brien’s 100th Royal Ascot win—an achievement met with much acclaim.
- Scandinavia wins the Ascot Gold Cup on June 18th
- Aidan O'Brien celebrates his 100th Royal winner after an incredible battle with Trawlerman
- Read a recap of the race and watch a replay of the finish here
Thursday at Royal Ascot is Gold Cup day, and Trawlerman returned to defend the crown he won so brilliantly 12 months ago.
A setback in the spring meant that Trawlerman arrived at Royal Ascot without a prep run under his belt. Scandinavia, meanwhile, had already won twice this term, and Aidan O'Brien's St Leger winner was strong at the head of the market.
The springer in the market during the morning was George Scott's Caballo De Mar, who had won two Group One races on French soil over the previous six months. St Leger runner-up Rahiebb represented Roger Varian, while Joseph O'Brien threw Group One winner Al Riffa into the mix.
Queen's Vase winner Carmers also featured in the field. Sweet William joined stablemate Trawlerman in the Royal Ascot Gold Cup. Ten-year-old Dubai Future was looking to emulate his third-place finish in this race 12 months earlier. Miss Alpilles, Al Nayyir and Further completed the field.
2026 Ascot Gold Cup Result
| Position | Name | SP |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Scandinavia | 11/8f |
| 2nd | Trawlerman | 10/3 |
| 3rd | Sweet William | 11/1 |
Trawlerman's trademark ski goggles came off just before he entered the stalls, and William Buick allowed the defending champion to bounce out into an early lead. Scandinavia was backed into 6/4 in the minutes before the off, and settled nicely behind the leader under Ryan Moore.
Further went forward along the rail, with Carmers and Caballo De Mar also in the front rank. Al Riffa was held up at the rear on his first start over two miles. The rest of the field settled along the rail, as Trawlerman crawled through the early stages.
With a circuit to go, Caballo De Mar moved up under Oisin Murphy to keep Trawlerman honest. Scandinavia tracked the leaders, ahead of Further and Carmers.
Dubai Future dropped to the rear as the pace began to pick up. Rahiebb had just four rivals behind him with a mile and a half to travel, with Al Riffa still sitting at the back of the field.
Twelve lengths separated first and last going into the final mile, as William Buick asked Trawlerman to switch through the gears. Turning for home, Buick kicked for home, and the rest of the riders came under pressure.
Ryan Moore set off in hot pursuit, and soon the market leaders had stretched clear of the field. Trawlerman and Scandinavia settled down for a dogfight. Neither gave the other an inch. With 100 yards to go, the pair were still neck and neck, but it was Scandinavia who stuck his nose in front on the line to claim a narrow victory.
Caballo De Mar paid the price for trying to go with the top two, and faded rapidly in the final two furlongs. Sweet William won the battle for third place, hitting the line just ahead of Al Riffa and Miss Alpilles.
That triumph for Scandinavia brought up a century of Royal Ascot winners for Aidan O'Brien. A fitting way to hit that remarkable milestone!
That triumph for Scandinavia brought up a century of Royal Ascot winners for Aidan O'Brien. A fitting way to hit that remarkable milestone!
2026 Ascot Gold Cup Replay
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