The Ascot Gold Cup trends, ahead on Thursday’s big race at Royal Ascot, tell us last year’s winner TRAWLERMAN needs to defy a big age stat that dates back to 1901.
Only One Ascot Gold Cup Winner Aged 8 Since 1901
Twelve months ago the John & Thady Gosden-trained TRAWLERMAN powered home to land the Ascot Gold Cup and despite some setbacks this season – is returning to defend his title.
He’s also expected to sport some snazzy ski goggles before the race due to being diagnosed with being sensitive to light – but, of course, won’t wear them during this Royal Ascot race.
Anyway, regardless of the new pre-race headgear – Trawlerman – is now aged 8 and that means he’ll have to defy an Ascot Gold Cup trend that dates back to 1901.
Only ONE horse aged 8 (or older) has ever won the Gold Cup, that that was the mighty YEATS in 2009.
Which was the final of his remarkable four Gold Cup successes that spanned between 2006 and 2009.
Three Horses Aged 8+ Have Run In Ascot Gold Cup In Last Five Years
Okay, some might ask – how many 8+ year-olds have actually run in the Gold Cup in recent times?
The answer is three since 2021.
With Dubai Future (9) who was 3rd in 2025, Coltrane (8), who was 5th.
Plus Twilight Payment (8) in 2021.
Just Four Ascot Gold Cup Winners Aged 7+ Since 1930
However, this age trend also extends back to 7+ year-olds.
Yes, Trawlerman won the prize aged 7 in 2025 – but since 1930 only three others (Yeats x 2, and Drum Taps) – have won the Gold Cup aged 7+.
In short – 15 of the last 16 Gold Cup winners were aged between 4-6.
With nine of those 15 aged 4.
Ascot Gold Cup Trends
- 22/24 – Had no more than 2 previous runs that season
- 21/24 – Aged 6 or younger
- 21/24 – Had between 1-2 previous runs that season
- 19/24 – Had won over at least 2 miles on the flat before
- 19/24 – Favourites that were placed
- 19/24 – Won their last race
- 15/24 – Previous Group 1 winners
- 14/24 – Won by the favourite
- 11/24 – Aged 4 years-old (9 of the last 14)
- 10/24 – Irish-trained winners
- 9/24 – Won by trainer Aidan O’Brien
- 6/24 – Ran at Sandown last time out (Henry II Stakes)
- 4/24 – Ridden by Ryan Moore (4 of the last 13)
- 17 of the last 20 winners returned 7/1 or shorter in the betting
- 13 of the last 20 winners returned 7/2 or shorter in the betting
- 11 of the last 20 winners came from stalls 1-5 (inc) (7 of the last 9 winners came from stalls 7 or lower)
- Godolphin won the race in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2012 & 2025
- Aidan O’Brien has trained the winner in 2024, 2022, 2016, 2014, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006
- John Gosden has trained the winner in 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2025
- Since 1949 there have been 16 multiple winners of the race
- Since 1930 only 4 winners aged 7+ (Trawlerman, Yeats x 2, Drum Taps)
- France have won 15 Gold Cups (last Westerner)
Trawlerman To Wear Gold Cup Ski Goggles
One of the more unusual stories to emerge from Royal Ascot this week involves defending Gold Cup hero Trawlerman, who is set to wear a pair of ski goggles before Thursday’s big ITV Racing contest at Ascot.
While it’s certainly not something racegoers see every day, trainer John Gosden has revealed there’s a genuine medical reason behind the eye-catching accessory.
According to Gosden, the eight-year-old has developed a sensitivity to bright light following an eye issue that first appeared around 18 months ago.
To help manage the condition, Trawlerman has been wearing dark goggles during his work at home in Newmarket and will be allowed to wear them in the paddock and while cantering down to the start before the Gold Cup.
However, racing regulations mean the Godolphin star must remove them before the race itself begins.
The news has quickly become one of the talking points of this year’s Royal Ascot, with many fans eager to catch a glimpse of the reigning champion sporting his unusual headgear.
Gosden joked that officials would not allow him to race in the goggles “for fear he thinks he’s on a ski slope”, but stressed that once the stalls open, Trawlerman’s focus will be entirely on the job at hand.
Ascot Gold Cup Betting Guide: Scandinavia Heads The Betting
The staying stars take centre stage at Royal Ascot on Thursday as the historic Gold Cup headlines Ladies’ Day, with a fascinating clash between established champions and the new generation of stayers. Run over a gruelling two-and-a-half miles, the Group One contest is widely regarded as the ultimate test of stamina and class.
At the head of the market sits Scandinavia, the Aidan O’Brien-trained star who arrives at Ascot seeking a sixth straight victory.
The St Leger and Goodwood Cup winner has looked better than ever this season and is a deserved favourite after establishing himself as the leading stayer in training. Ryan Moore takes the ride as O’Brien bids for a remarkable tenth Gold Cup success.
The biggest threat could come from defending champion Trawlerman, who returns for John and Thady Gosden after last year’s dominant seven-length victory in the race.
Despite now being an eight-year-old, he remains one of the class acts in the field and has been one of the major talking points of the week after news emerged that he will wear protective ski goggles before the race due to a light-sensitivity condition.
Other leading contenders include Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb and the progressive Caballo De Mar, but Scandinavia looks the horse with the strongest profile and may have the class to usher in a new era in the staying division.
As he looks to give his trainer Aidan O’Brien a record-extending tenth win in the Ascot Gold Cup.
When Is The Ascot Gold Cup 2026?
📅 Date: Thursday 18th June 2026
⌚ Time: 4:15pm
🏇 Racecourse: Ascot
🔄 Trip: 2m 4f
💷 Winner: £396,970
📺 TV: Sky Sports Racing / ITV Racing
Ascot Gold Cup Betting Odds
- Scandinavia 11/8
- Rahiebb 7/2
- Trawlerman 5/1
- Caballo De Mar 6/1
- Sweet William 8/1
- Al Riffa 12/1
- Carmers 20/1
- Jan Brueghel 25/1
- Dubai Future 25/1
- Al Nayyir 25/1
- Further 33/1
- Miss Alpilles 66/1
- Dallas Star 150/1
Note: Ascot Gold Cup betting odds subject to change
Recent Ascot Gold Cup Winners
- 2025 – Trawlerman (85/40 fav)
- 2024 – Kyprios (11/10 fav)
- 2023 – Courage Mon Ami (15/2)
- 2022 – Kyprios (13/8 fav)
- 2021 – Subjectivist (13/2)
- 2020 – Stradivarius (4/5 fav)
- 2019 – Stradivarius (Evs fav)
- 2018 – Stradivarius (7/4 jfav)
- 2017 – Big Orange (5/1)
- 2016 – Order Of St George (10/11 fav)
WATCH: Kyprios Winning The 2024 Ascot Gold Cup
