Kyprios has established himself as the leading stayer in Flat racing this season with five victories from five outings in the campaign. The four-year-old colt’s latest success came in the Irish St Leger at Curragh.
? Irish St Leger
? Goodwood Cup
? Ascot Gold Cup
? Saval Beg Stakes
? Listed Vintage Crop StakesFifth win of the season – and third Group One – for super stayer Kyprios as Aidan O’Brien wins his sixth @comerhomesgroup Irish St Leger.#LICW22 pic.twitter.com/MMQIcxThBC
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) September 11, 2022
Aidan O’Brien’s runner hit the front with two furlongs to go, showcasing his stamina and class once again. It handed his trainer a sixth success in the Group One contest.
With seven wins from nine career starts, Kyprios now has an official rating of 120. He could improve his mark before the season ends as he is likely to appear on British Champions Day at Ascot. The Irish horse is the 5/4 favourite for the Long Distance Cup where he is proving to be one of the popular racing tips today for the 2m contest in October.
The son of Galileo has also been linked with an appearance in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. He does not have an entry in the feature at the French racecourse, but he may be supplemented if his connections want to take a chance in the prestigious middle-distance race.
Ascot Gold Cup Victory the Highlight of the Year So Far
The pick of Kyprios’ five wins this season came in the Ascot Gold Cup at the royal meeting. The 2m4f race is the most prestigious in the stayers’ division and it proved to be a big moment for O’Brien’s colt, as he beat a strong field.
KYPRIOS wins the 2022 Gold Cup at #RoyalAscot! ?
No 4️⃣th win for the great Stradivarius, but a 3️⃣rd for Ryan Moore, and a record extending 8️⃣th for Aidan O’Brien ? pic.twitter.com/qKrd5n8ODi
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 16, 2022
Under the hands of his regular pilot Ryan Moore, Kyprios stayed on strongly at the back end of the contest. He put to bed any doubts about his stamina, and he showed why his trainer had so much confidence in him.
Just weeks after his victory in the Ascot Gold Cup, the four-year-old triumphed again in the Goodwood Cup, in what was arguably an even more impressive performance. On that occasion, he came up against the Champion Stayer, Trueshan, as well as Stradivarius. Just like at Ascot, it was the Irish horse who got his nose in front as they crossed the finish line.
Comparisons With Yeats
Given he is trained by O’Brien, it is no surprise that the latest Ascot Gold Cup winner is already being compared with Yates, the horse who won the feature race at the royal meeting a joint-record four times.
O’Brien has already stated that the plan will be to target the same race again in 2023. The Irish trainer knows exactly how to prepare a horse for the day three highlight, as Yeats came out on top for him in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. He also saddled Fame And Glory and Order of St George before they triumphed in 2011 and 2016 respectively.
Yeats is considered one of the greatest stayers in history, so Kyprios has a long way to go to get close to his accomplishments. However, he is young enough to have a lot more success in the division.
The 2022 Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup, and Irish St Leger winner is likely to be in contention to be named the Irish Horse of the Year at the end of the campaign.