Super stayer Yeats triumphed in the Ascot Gold Cup on Thursday for a record fourth time in succession. In a display that thrilled a huge crowd, the eight-year-old, ridden by Johnny Murtagh for trainer Aidan O'Brien, stole into a five-length lead turning into the straight and then bravely held off the pursuing Patkai by 3-1/2 lengths. Third place, a distant 15 lengths away, went to second favorite Geordieland. Yeats had been beaten in his warm-up race at Navan in April but was back to his brilliant best on his favorite track. O'Brien told BBC TV: “It's unbelievable. I don't think I've ever felt such pressure before.” Murtagh, describing the horse as the Muhammad Ali of racing, said: “He's the best.” The Irishman added: “The ground was too soft at Navan. He loves fast ground, he loves Royal Ascot. He comes alive. This is one of the greatest days of my riding career.” The Ascot Gold Cup, dating back to 1807, is raced over a marathon 2-1/2 miles (4-km) and is one of the longest events on the calendar. The victory by Yeats means he overtakes Sagaro, three-time winner between 1975-77, and ensures his place in racing's pantheon. Earlier, the US winning streak which had brought two victories on the first two days of the royal meeting for trainer Wes Ward and jockey John Velazquez was brought to an untidy halt with defeat for Yogaroo in the opening Norfolk Stakes sprint. The two-year-old blazed a trail for the first three furlongs (600 meters) but swerved sharply when shown the whip, interfering badly with favorite Monsieur Chevalier. Another sufferer in the knock-on effect was Radiohead but the recovered well to win by two lengths under jockey Jamie Spencer from outsider Reignier. Winning trainer Brian Meehan said: “When he got that bump I looked away and thought we were out of the race but all credit to the horse and Jamie.” Victory in the fillies' Ribblesdale Stakes for Flying Cloud ended a poor run at the top level for the Godolphin operation of Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai. Jockey Frankie Dettori said: “The first two days were a bit frustrating but this filly had a good chance and showed a good turn of foot. She surprised me a little. She should be a candidate for the Irish Oaks now.”
