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Field Of Gold and Ombudsman had already produced sublime performances in the St James’s Palace Stakes and Prince of Wales’s Stakes respectively during the first two days of the Royal meeting, but the elusive Gold Cup victory for the Clarehaven team’s staying stalwart rubber stamped a stellar five days.
Thady Gosden said: “It’s been a terrific week and I think the highlight must be Trawlerman. he’s been in the yard five years, he’s by Golden Horn and he wears his heart on his sleeve.
“He’s the most genuine horse and in his races he will do everything, but when you’re with him in person he is a kind, sweet, gentle soul, and for him to run the race he did having coming second last year – what a fantastic result for the horse and for the sport.”
The Gosden team finished the week with five winners, the same number as O’Brien, but took the prize due to on extra silver medal they picked up through the week.
Gosden Sr has previously won the award twice on his own and praised his son Thady after winning the award for a second time as a training partnership.
John Gosden – who registered his 70th Royal Ascot winner this week – said: “Our week started very strongly with the right races and everyone working at home had the horses spot-on.
“They’ve run very well since, finishing second and third and second and third, and that of course counts towards winning this when you’re at five winners all with Aidan O’Brien.
“Thady has been with me about eight years already – and the rest – so, poor chap, it must be getting a bit annoying!
“But there is nothing like this meeting, it’s our Olympics, and it’s great to win this. Without him I wouldn’t be as on the ball at all. It’s been a great combination.”
Reflecting on Field Of Gold’s dazzling Group One victory which lit up the opening day of the fixture, Thady Gosden added: “Field Of Gold is a horse who has just improved and improved and improved.
“His sire Kingman was a peerless miler, but he has shown the electric turn of foot his sire had. It was a great race with all three Guineas winners from north-western Europe in the same race. He is very exciting for Juddmonte and for all of us.”
Ballydoyle handler O’Brien may have been thwarted in his quest for a fourth successive leading trainer prize, but his number one jockey Ryan Moore was out on his own as top rider for the 12th time.
He capped yet another fine week in Berkshire with his seventh success of the meeting aboard Willie Mullins’ Sober in the concluding Queen Alexandra Stakes to finish two clear of Oisin Murphy.
Moore said: “It’s great to ride seven winners, Aidan’s horses were in great form all work, when you’re riding for Aidan and Willie you’re going to ride winners.”
Both Coolmore and Wathnan Racing finished the week with five winners, but it was Coolmore who came out on top for the third year running on account of their superior record with placed horses.
Coolmore’s MV Magnier said: “It means a lot to everyone. The guys and everyone put everything into this week, and for Aidan and Ryan to do such a good job, it’s incredible.
“We’re very grateful and we are very lucky to be here. We are very lucky to have the King and Queen present every day this week. It’s a big deal for our business.”
