- Trawlerman ‘not a definite runner’ in Gold Cup at Royal Ascot next month
- Will start campaign at Sandown Group 3 like last season
- All roads lead to Long Distance Cup on Champions Day
Last season’s Gold Cup hero Trawlerman is unlikely to run at Royal Ascot to defend his crown after starting his season slightly later than usual.
Trawlerman Not A Definite Runner In Gold Cup At Royal Ascot
The Godolphin-owned horse was an impressive winner of last year’s Gold Cup and actually broke the track record in a seven length domination.
He won all four starts as a seven-year-old and still looked at his very best, but he may not be back at Royal Ascot this season.
Trawlerman usually starts his season with a trip to Meydan for the Dubai Gold Cup and ran in the last renewals before the latest one in March.
This year, he’ll kick-off his campaign in the Group 3 Star Sports Henry II Stakes at Sandown a week on Thursday.
He won that race last year before his breathtaking Gold Cup win at Royal Ascot.
WATCH: Trawlerman Wins 2025 Ascot Gold Cup By 7 Lengths
TRAWLERMAN WINS THE GOLD CUP 🏆🔵@godolphin | @WilliamBuickX pic.twitter.com/eE3I01jYPo
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 19, 2025
John Gosden revealed his plans for the classy eight-year-old:
“We had planned to run Trawlerman at Sandown, but we’re feeling our way back with him at present and he’s not a definite runner in the Gold Cup at this stage.
“He’s an eight-year-old now and has other options later in the year, such as the Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Champions Day, which he has won twice before.“
With over £850,000 won in prize money last season, Trawlerman ended his season with another fascinating victory at Ascot in the Long Distance Cup.
Gosden suggested he’ll work towards that again as the son of Golden Horn looks to win it for a third time.
WATCH: Trawlerman Wins 2nd Long Distance Cup At Ascot
SUPERSTAR! 🌟
TRAWLERMAN REGAINS HIS QIPCO BRITISH CHAMPIONS LONG DISTANCE CUP CROWN!@Champions_Day @Ascot | @WilliamBuickX @godolphin pic.twitter.com/enR03Q5WEO
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 18, 2025
2026 Ascot Gold Cup Odds
- Scandanavia 6/4 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Rahiebb 5/1 (Roger Varian)
- Trawlerman 5/1 (John & Thady Gosden)
- Caballo De Mar 10/1 (George Scott)
- Sweet William 10/1 (John & Thady Gosden)
- Fairy Glen 16/1 (Simon & Ed Crisford)
- Illinois 16/1 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Jan Brueghel 16/1 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Lambourn 16/1 (Aidan O’Brien)
- Al Nayyir 25/1 (Tom Clover)
- Al Riffa 25/1 (Joseph O’Brien)
- Danielle 25/1 (John & Thady Gosden)
- Carmers 33/1 (Paddy Twomey)
- Consent 33/1 (Sir Mark Prescott Bt)
- Lazy Griff 33/1 (Charlie Johnston)
- Le Destrier 33/1 (Willie Mullins)
- 33/1 BAR
Note: Ascot Gold Cup odds are subject to change and others are on request
