Every sport needs heroes - and brilliant performances with an emotional backstory are a sure recipe for super-stardom.
When Kyprios crowned an astonishing comeback from life-threatening sickness to become the first horse since Kayf Tara - 24 years ago - and just the second ever to regain Royal Ascot's Gold Cup it was truly a 'dainty dish to set before the King"!
Aidan O'Brien hailed it as a "millions to one" success - though punters showed every confidence, hammering the 6yo in to a near-evens bookie basher. And it was a welcome crowd-pleaser as the Royal meeting's attendances, up again on 2023, continued to buck depressing trends.
The Ballydoyle ace had won the Group 1 Thursday highlight in 2022 but was forced to miss last year's race after suffering an infection in a fetlock joint.
But Kyprios (11/10F) stormed back to his best, becoming a record ninth winner of Royal Ascot's famous staying race for O'Brien.
It was an astonishing 89th course success for the Ballydoyle maestro but he rates it one of his greatest yet.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2024 من Racing Ahead.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2024 من Racing Ahead.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters
Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.
AUDIENCE IS ERUPTING
John Anthony reveals the latest top speedsters after another Glorious Goodwood
HORSE OF A LIFETIME
Graham Buddry pays fresh tribute to track legend Sea The Stars - surely one of the greatest ever
IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
Paul Jacobs looks forward to seeing some big on-track questions answered
PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
lan Heitman flies about to keep pace with a rush of two-year-old Flat action
WINNING JOY ON A BUDGET
Richard Eagle takes a trip to Windsor to check out peoples' route into the port of kings
GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS
Robert Cooper finds 'retirement' is keeping him busy
FEUD GETS THE PARTY ROLLING
Karl Hedley savours the Galway Festival action and picks out the summer highlights at Ballybrit
ROCKING THE MONEY BAGS
Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
FLYING EVE'S BORN TO WIN
Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton
