STAYING / CUP RACES

Ascot Gold Cup
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The Ascot Gold Cup, 1834 by James PollardThe Ascot Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in the United Kingdom for four-year-old and above thoroughbreds run over a distance of 2 miles 4 furlongs (4,023 metres) at Ascot Racecourse during June.

First run in 1807, the Gold Cup is traditionally held on Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot. Sagaro won the race three times in a row and there have been a number of two-time winners including Touchstone, Le Moss, Ardross, Prince Palatine and Kayf Tara.

Together with the 2 miles 2 furlongs (3,219 m) Doncaster Cup and 2 miles (3,219 metres) Goodwood Cup, the Ascot Gold Cup is part of Britain's Stayers' Triple Crown for horses capable of running longer distances. Only six horses have ever swept the series; Le Moss is the only horse to do it twice.

When Royal Ascot was temporarily moved to York Racecourse in 2005, the course had to be modified to allow the Gold Cup and other long distance races to be possible.

from tbheritage.com:

THE ASCOT GOLD CUP

First Run: 1807
Month Run: June
Venue: Ascot, Berkshire, England
Distance: 2 miles 4 furlongs
Status: Group 1 for 3 year olds and upwards

The Ascot Gold Cup has been the centre piece of the Royal Meeting from its inception. First contested in 1807, it was run as The Emperor's Plate, with a gift of plate presented by the Czar of Russia, Nicholas I, from 1845-1853. Prior to World War II, the race was often the target of the previous year's Epsom Derby winner, with three of the eleven Triple Crown winners, namely West Australian, Gladiateur and Isinglass, adding it to their win records. However, in recent times commercial considerations have changed all that, and the event is contested by the best staying horses, who often renew their rivalry over many years. In 1977 Sagaro became the only horse to win the race three times.

THE DONCASTER CUP

First Run: 1766
Month Run: September
Venue: Doncaster, Yorkshire, England
Distance: 2 miles, 2 furlongs
Status: Group 3 for 3 year olds and upwards
First run in 1766 as the Doncaster Gold Cup, this is one of the oldest races still run under Jockey Club rules. Together with the Ascot Gold Cup and the Goodwood Cup, it forms the stayers' "Triple Crown" of "Cup" events, and the only horses to achieve this honour in the same season are Isonomy (1879), Alycidon (1949), Souepi (1953), Le Moss (1979 and 1980), Longboat (1986) and Double Trigger (1995). The great 19th century mare Beeswing won the race four times.

THE GOODWOOD CUP



First Run: 1812
Month Run: July
Venue: Goodwood, Sussex, England
Distance: 2 miles 5 furlongs
Status: Handicap race for 3 year olds and upwards
The Goodwood Cup is one of the most famous Goodwood races, an important event for stayers founded in 1812 by the 3rd Duke of Richmond. Initially a three mile run for a 100 guineas trophy, the distance was later dropped to 2 miles 5 furlongs, and has been won by some of racing's great names, including Priam, Alice Hawthorn, Doncaster, and St. Simon.

search the TBheritage-Site for more informations about the History of Racing - you will find Winner´s lists of the above mentioned races (and many many more!) here as well:

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