Lonsdale Cup, a race every horse wants to win
The Lonsdale Cup is a Group 2 meeting, which is run over two miles and 88 yards at York every year. The event traditionally takes place in August, and has always been an entertaining clash.
This year’s Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup British Champions Series is scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 25th. The first edition of this event was held in 1980, when David Elsworth’s charge, Heighlin, sealed an emphatic victory under
Richard Fox.
The contest used to be known as the Lonsdale Stakes, and its distance was one mile, seven furlongs and 198 yards for some time. After being classed as a Listed Race for many years, the meeting was promoted to Group 3 in late 1990s. The authorities decided
to change its status and name in 2004, when registering it as the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup.
Frankie Dettori is one of the most successful riders in this race. The veteran jockey rode Opinion Poll to two consecutive victories. Last year’s success was his third in the Lonsdale Cup, as he had taken Sergeant Cecil to a classy triumph in 2006.
Opinion Poll came to Mahmood Al Zarooni’s yard after winning this event under the care of Marcus Tregoning in 2010. The son of Halling continued his good work to secure a comfortable win last season.
Duncan, John Gosden’s charge, tried hard to spoil his party, but the 3-1 favourite did not make any mistake whatsoever in the hands of Frankie Dettori, seizing the first place by three quarters of a length.
"The great thing about this horse is that he does try for you. I always felt I would get the runner-up. He's as horse who needs one to scrap with, he's very game," Dettori said after grabbing the glory for the third time last year.
Having won this race four times, John Dunlop is one of the successful handlers at York. His last victory hit the headlines in 2005, when Millenary bagged the big prize with ease.
The Lonsdale Cup has always been an exciting event, and this year will be no exception. A lot of powerful runners are well prepared, and a dramatic battle is in the offing.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.Com’s editorial policy.
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