19 Jun 2009

Yeats in record fourth Ascot Gold Cup triumph

6:27 am on 19 June 2009

The super stayer Yeats, the 6-4 favourite, has triumphed in the Ascot Gold Cup for a record fourth time in a row.

In a display that thrilled a huge crowd, the eight-year-old, ridden by Johnny Murtagh for trainer Aidan O'Brien, stole into a five-length lead turning into the straight and then bravely held off the pursuing Patkai by three and half lengths

Third place, a distant 15 lengths away, went to 11-4 second favourite Geordieland.

Yeats had been beaten in his warm-up race at Navan in April but was back to his brilliant best on his favourite track.

The Ascot Gold Cup, dating back to 1807, is raced over four kilometres and is one of the longest events on the calendar.

The victory by Yeats means he overtakes Sagaro, three times winner between 1975-77.