Kyprios edges a Goodwood Cup epic - and O'Brien promises there's more to come

Tuesday: Goodwood Cup, Goodwood

The build-up to the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup might have been about one jockey and the horse he was not going to ride but – at the end of a pulsating race – the centre of attention belonged to someone who has probably done more for the modern-day staying division than most.

In Kyprios, Aidan O'Brien has a horse whose name maybe does not roll off the tongue as easily or fondly as Stradivarius or Trueshan, but he dispatched that acclaimed pair with all the hallmarks of a star stayer.

Understandably, pre-race chat had centred around a jockey change for Stradivarius, whose Gold Cup defeat pinched the spotlight from the gutsy Kyprios, who gave O'Brien a record-extending eighth triumph in that prestigious event.

Trueshan missed out then because of the ground, but trainer Alan King – satisfied by walking the course and hearing what Hollie Doyle had to say after riding in the first – gave the green light to a mouthwatering and absorbing clash, although punters realised a new contender was on the staying scene and made the winner a 6-4 shot.

Kyprios saw off Trueshan after a prolonged battle up the centre of the trackCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Victory was never going to be a foregone conclusion with Stradivarius, seeking a fifth Goodwood Cup, back in opposition under Andrea Atzeni, whose predecessor Frankie Dettori had shouldered the bulk of the blame at the royal meeting.

Atzeni, on Bjorn Nielsen's white-socked warrior for his first two wins in the race in 2017 and 2018, had the popular eight-year-old settled in midfield, although found himself short of room four furlongs out when Trueshan took closer order under Doyle.

Ryan Moore had his mount prominent and launched for home three out, perhaps fuelled by a team talk from O'Brien that would have left him in little doubt about the capabilities and constitution of the Galileo colt, a neck clear of Stradivarius at the line.

The legendary Yeats weighed in with four of O'Brien's Gold Cup victories and had also won this race twice, although that was before it became a Group 1.

O'Brien said: "Ryan gave him a beautiful ride. He had them covered in a lovely position, but it was a worry Stradivarius was away from him. Ryan saw him, but whether Kyprios saw him was the thing, although Ryan had a little bit when he wanted it.

"The horse keeps plenty and is very lazy. If you want him to stay in first gear, he will. That's the way he is and always has been; he saves everything but is very professional."

Stradivarius (far side) will race on after his narrow second to KypriosCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Kyprios runs in the colours of Moyglare Stud and is from one of its finest families, but his Classic campaign ended in May last year.

His return this season has been flawless and O'Brien fired a warning to those belonging to Stradivarius and Trueshan fan clubs.

"I'd say there's a lot more to come," added the trainer, whose backers – the Coolmore partners – are also involved in Kyprios.

"He's a lovely horse and there's probably any amount in there. He's got a lot of quality and stayers like him, with that class, are very special."

The next opportunity to witness that class will come in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger at the Curragh on September 11. O'Brien did not dismiss more exotic targets such as the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe or Lexus Melbourne Cup.

"He's got a lot of class and would have plenty for those races," he said. "The plan was the Gold Cup, this race and the Irish St Leger and then he could do any of the others – and I don't think he'd have any problem in them. I'd say we're only starting to see what's in there."

Trueshan, a length and a quarter back in third, lost little in defeat.

"That's as good a Goodwood Cup as we've seen for a long time," said King. "It was a hell of a performance. It was a proper Goodwood Cup and I think it's fair to say he's very good, but not at his absolute best on that [quicker] ground. I was happy to run and I've no regrets, but we know he's better on soft ground."

O'Brien hailed the late Galileo as an incredible stallion whose progeny are better the harder and tougher they have to fight.

It is therefore to Kyprios's credit he was able to emerge on top so gamely against two heavyweight champions.

Goodwood Cup: watch the race here

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