Ayr Gold Cup History and Trends
The Ayr Gold Cup has an illustrious history having been first staged in 1804. Now the richest sprint handicap in Europe, it began life as two heats and a final over two miles to decide the winner. The field is limited to 25 by modern safety standards but the next 25 in the weights can contest the Silver Cup on the same day with another 25 put into the Bronze Cup, run a day earlier. Punters study both races for clues about the going and draw.
- No horse drawn higher than 22 has won since 1997. Stall eight has fared particularly well in the last 13 years, providing the winner on four occasions including in 2016, though stall 19 has produced the winner in two of the last four years.
- The age range of winners is largely inconclusive, though there has been no winner aged older than six since 1993 and only two three-year-olds have been successful in the last 23 years.
- With four of the last 10 winners, Kevin Ryan is easily the most successful trainer of modern times and runs three this year. North Yorkshire neighbour Tim Easterby also saddles a trio while Richard Fahey is responsible for four of the 25 runners as he bids for a third success in the 6f handicap.
Recent Winners of the Ayr Gold Cup
YEAR | HORSE | AGE | WGT | FORM | TRAINER | JOCKEY | RUNNERS | OR | SP | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Brando | 4 | 9-10 | 122129 | K A Ryan | T Eaves | 23 | 110 | 11/1 | |
2015 | Don’t Touch | 3 | 9-1 | 1111 | R A Fahey | T Hamilton | 25 | 102 | 6/1 | |
2014 | Louis The Pious | 6 | 9-4 | 201707 | D O’Meara | J Doyle | 27 | 104 | 10/1 | |
2013 | Highland Colori | 5 | 9-4 | 010631 | A M Balding | O Murphy | 26 | 99 | 20/1 | |
2012 | Captain Ramius | 6 | 9-0 | 41-7834 | K A Ryan | P J Smullen | 26 | 100 | 16/1 | |
2011 | Our Jonathan | 4 | 9-6 | 128562 | K A Ryan | F Norton | 26 | 105 | 11/1 | |
2010 | Redford | 5 | 9-2 | 920093 | D Nicholls | L Dettori | 26 | 97 | 14/1 | |
2009 | Jimmy Styles | 5 | 9-2 | 433 | C G Cox | L Dettori | 26 | 102 | 14/1 | |
2008 | Regal Parade | 4 | 9-1 | 130 | D Nicholls | W A Carson | 27 | 99 | 18/1 | |
2007 | Advanced | 4 | 9-9 | 720 | K A Ryan | J P Spencer | 28 | 109 | 20/1 | |
2006 | Fonthill Road | 6 | 9-2 | 009 | R A Fahey | P Hanagan | 23 | 97 | 16/1 | |
2005 | Presto Shinko | 4 | 9-2 | 711 | R Hannon | S Sanders | 27 | 98 | 12/1 | |
2004 | Funfair Wane | 5 | 8-6 | 060 | D Nicholls | P Doe | 24 | 90 | 33/1 | |
2003 | Quito | 6 | 8-6 | 344 | D W Chapman | A Culhane | 26 | 92 | 20/1 |
William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Current Best Odds
Son Of Rest 11/2, Growl 9/1, Flying Pursuit 12/1, Gunmetal 14/1, Muntadab and Golden Apollo 16/1, Major Jumbo, Terentum Star, Get Knotted and George Bowen 20/1, Justanotherbottle 22/1, Tommy Taylor, G Force, Ice Age and Kimberella 25/1, Perfect Pasture 28/1, Baron Bolt, Naadirr, Staxton and Tanasoq 33/1, Brian The Snail and Upstaging 40/1, Goring 50/1
(Odds correct at 5.45pm on September 20)