The Gold Cup is the supreme test of stamina but who is bred to stay in an era when pedigrees are chock full of speed?

The Gold Cup is the supreme test of stamina for a Flat horse, but the reality nowadays is that so few are bred to stay. There is so much speed in the modern thoroughbred’s pedigree and a look at the winning sires of this race since the turn of the century illustrates that perfectly.

Sadler’s Wells has sired the most winners in that time, albeit four of his five victories came with Yeats, but his influence is undeniable. He is also the sire of Galileo and Montjeu, who have been responsible for another five winners between them, so his line is full of stamina.

However, with Sadler’s Wells and Montjeu both long gone, and the last of Galileo’s progeny on the course now, there simply aren’t many horses who have the genes to excel over this far.