Courage Mon Ami takes Ascot Gold Cup under cool ride by Dettori
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Courage Mon Ami stayed 2 1/2 miles in his first try over a true distance of ground while jockey Frankie Dettori stayed true to his reputation as the master of Royal Ascot as the pair won the Group 1 Gold Cup on Wednesday.
Dettori’s ninth win in the Gold Cup, the most important staying race in Europe, was a beauty. Held up third last in a field of 12, Courage Mon Ami made steady progress through the final three furlong with Dettori holding firm to his spot along the rail. Still saving ground as horses in front of him peeled outside for their runs, Dettori and Courage Mon Ami had slithered into contention coming into the homestretch while never having to leave the fence.
Dettori steered left, Courage Mon Ami showed bravery and handiness hitting a hole between horses, and the two outdueled Coltrane, the favorite, to win by three-quarters of a length.
The bold ride from Dettori, who plans to retire at the end of this season, came after a bold entry by co-trainers John and Thady Gosden, who tried Courage Mon Ami over a distance longer than 1 3/4 miles for the first time while sending the 4-year-old into his Group stakes debut.
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“You can’t practice 2 1/2 miles at home, but Frankie stayed cool,” John Gosden said.
Subjectivist finished a well beaten third as Courage Mon Ami paid $18.80 to win.
Now 4 for 4 in his career, Courage Mon Ami is by Frankel out of Crimson Ribbon, by Lemon Drop Kid.
* In the day’s first race, 150-1 shot Valiant Force won the Group 2 Norfolk for 2-year-olds as the well-backed Wesley Ward-trained American invader, American Rascal, faded tamely to 15th in a 16-runner field.
Valiant Force earned a starting berth in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita in November through the Breeders' Cup Win and You're in program.