Ascot Gold Cup
| Group 1 race | |
The Ascot Gold Cup, 1834
by James Pollard |
|
| Location |
Ascot Racecourse Ascot, England |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1807 |
| Race type | Flat / Thoroughbred |
| Website | Ascot |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2m 4f (4,023 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Four-years-old and up |
| Weight | 9 st 0 lb (4yo); 9 st 2 lb (5yo+) Allowances 3 lb for fillies and mares 10 lb for S. Hemisphere 4yo horses |
| Purse | £400,000 (2016) 1st: £226,840 |
Coordinates: 51°24′43.8″N 0°40′45.3″W / 51.412167°N 0.679250°W
The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 metres), and it is scheduled to take place each year in June.
It is Britain's most prestigious event for "stayers" – horses which specialise in racing over long distances. It is traditionally held on day three of the Royal Ascot meeting, which is known colloquially (but not officially) as Ladies' Day. Contrary to popular belief the actual title of the race does not include the word "Ascot". In 2016 it will be run as "the Gold Cup in Honour of The Queen's 90th Birthday".
The event established in 1807, and it was originally open to horses aged three or older. The inaugural winner, Master Jackey, was awarded prize money of 100 guineas. The first race took place in the presence of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
The 1844 running was attended by Nicholas I of Russia, who was making a state visit to England. That year's winner was unnamed at the time of his victory, but he was given the name "The Emperor" in honour of the visiting monarch. In return Nicholas offered a new trophy for the race — the "Emperor's Plate" — and this became the title of the event for a short period. Its original name was restored after nine years, during the Crimean War.
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