For the second year in a row, favorite Yeats won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, in the 200th edition of the classic competition. The market leader, under Mick Kinane, soon put distance between himself and the other runners, with a stylish performance.

“We are absolutely delighted. He was a lot heavier today than he has ever been, but he has been much pacer in his work and in his races than he has ever been,” trainer O’Brien said. “Mick did the right thing on him and rode him with a lot of confidence. Seamus Heffernan said in his first two races this season he had won in a matter of strides – and that is what he did today.”

Concerning the Melbourne Cup, for which Yeats is a 10-1 chance with Stan James, trainer O’Brien explained that those races are open to Yeats, but any decision should be first discussed with the owners. “We would love to come back and win the Gold Cup for a third time. We hope we will be here,” O’Brien finished.

With this second victory, the six-year-old stayer has become the 10th horse to win the Gold Cup more than once.