Subjectivist Spoils Stradivarius, Steals Gold Cup

ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND – Dr. Jim Walker’s Subjectivist spoiled 3-time defending race champion Stradivarius‘ bid for history when stealing away victory in Thursday’s Gold Cup (G1) at Ascot Racecourse.

Subjectivist sat just off Amhran Na Bhfiann‘s early pace for much of the early going in the grueling 2 1/2-mile turf marathon, then burst to the lead as the field entered the far turn and left his rivals with too much to do. Joe Fanning piloted the Mark Johnston trainee to a dominating 5-length victory for his third straight score following March’s 2-mile Dubai Gold Cup (G2) at Meydan and last October’s Prix Royal-Oak (G1) at Longchamp. The 4-year-old Teofilo colt’s record now stands at 17-6-4-2.

“It was almost a re-run of the Dubai Gold Cup,” Walker said. “I just thought at that point Joe had him, and it was going to be everything else that was going to have to try and catch him – and that’s hard.”

The mare Princess Zoe took second by a 1/2-length over Spanish Mission, while Stradivarius – stuck in traffic through the far turn and into the stretch – could do no better than fourth under Frankie Dettori.

“I ran into a pocket turning for home,” Dettori said. “When you get stopped in a 2 1/2-mile race, you never get going again. The winner’s a good winner, but I’d love to have had another shot at it.”

Emperor Of The Sun, Nayef Road, Santiago, Serpentine, Twilight Payment, Rip Van Lips, Amhran Na Bhfiann, and Ben Lilly completed the order of finish. Trueshan scratched.

Subjectivist returned $13.80 to win and $3.20 to place. Princess Zoe brought back $13.80 to place. Spanish Mission paid $4.20 to place.