Scandinavia digs deep to give O'Brien a 100th Royal Ascot win 

CENTURION: Aidan O'Brien celebrates a landmark Royal Ascot success after Scandinavia's dramatic Gold Cup win.  Picture: Healy Racing

Aidan O’Brien brought up his 100th career winner at Royal Ascot in the meeting’s feature race, as Scandinavia got up in the final strides to win a thrilling renewal of the Gold Cup.

It appeared for much of the final furlong that last year’s winner Trawlerman — who wore ski goggles in the paddock to protect his sensitive eyes from the sun — was going to hold off his younger rival.

However, having not had a run so far this season, the last 50 yards of the stamina-sapping two and a half miles caught up with Trawlerman, with last season’s St Leger winner Scandinavia (11-8 favourite) wearing him down under Ryan Moore to win right on the line.

“It’s very special, it’s a very special day for myself and everybody in Ballydoyle,” said O’Brien, whose first winner at the meeting was Harbour Master in 1997.

“There are so many people involved to help a horse get this far. Ryan gave him an absolute class, peach ride.

“That’s just incredible really (100 Royal Ascot) winners, it’s something that we wouldn’t dream of thinking about because for that to happen you could not believe.

“Even this week, it’s literally one race at a time and you don’t even think what it could be or whether it could happen because it’s so competitive, so hard to win races here.” 

He went on: “We knew the second horse was a great horse, very brave. He joined him and you don’t know until you go past that two furlong marker what’s really going to happen but we felt he was very brave, he always showed that in every race, he’s relentless, he cruises.

“It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be involved with the team and be the small part that I am with everybody. The reality is everyone puts in the work and we watch it going on and I can’t tell you how grateful we are to everybody.” 

On the future for Scandinavia and in further reflection of the milestone reached, O’Brien — who was presented with his prize and a commemoration ‘100’ saddle cloth by the king and queen — added: “He’s only a baby stayer, only a four-year-old.

“The second horse is a good horse and we know how brave he is, he’s eight so he had plenty of age on his side when it got tough, and it (Gold Cup) is tough on a young horse.

“It was brilliant, what can I say? It’s such a privilege for me, for Anne-Marie (wife) and everyone in Ballydoyle to be working with these horses for the lads (Coolmore owners).

“I’m not taking it for granted in any way, it’s so special. It’s a day we never thought would happen. Every race is so hard to win here; you never expect anything and you always hope. What a special day.” 

Moore added: “Aidan had him in a great place. Since he got beat here last year (fifth in Queen’s Vase) his record’s been incredible.

“He’s done well because everything was going smooth until they first went past the winning post, Oisin (Murphy, on Caballo De Mar) took me back then I had to make up two lengths.

“I didn’t really need to to get to Trawlerman, and Trawlerman digs in, he’s a good horse. But it worked out — he’s class.” 

Of O’Brien’s 100-winner feat the rider — himself on 96 Royal Ascot victories — added: “Aidan will be thinking about the next 100, but I’m sure he’ll be delighted it’s done.”