ROYAL ASCOT
Date: 16-20 June Coverage: BBC One, BBC Two, website streaming (UK only), commentary of all the main races on BBC Radio 5 Live; follow Cornelius Lysaght at twitter.com/5liveracing (external link).
More details of BBC horse racing coverage

Replay - Yeats win historic fourth Gold Cup

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Yeats made history by securing a fourth Gold Cup triumph at Royal Ascot.

Jockey Johnny Murtagh sat patiently in the pack and pushed the all-conquering eight-year-old well before the turn for home, creating a sizeable gap.

Patkai was the only challenger but Ryan Moore's mount could not make up the ground and was three lengths behind.

Geordieland, runner-up for the last two years, had to make do with third this time around, 15 lengths further adrift.

The famous race dates back to 1807 and had been previously won three times in succession by Sagaro from 1975-77.

Yeats had been beaten in his warm-up race at Navan in April but was back to his awesome best on the Berkshire track.

Murtagh did not hide his devotion to the horse and enthused: "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."

Trainer O'Brien was ecstatic to seal another victory and said: "It's unbelievable. I don't think I've ever felt such pressure before."

Earlier, chances of another American victory were brought to an abrupt halt, as Yogaroo lost a promising position in the opening Norfolk Stakes sprint.

The two-year-old blazed a trail for the first three furlongs but swerved sharply when shown the whip, interfering badly with favourite Monsieur Chevalier.

Another sufferer in the knock-on effect was Radiohead but the 10-1 shot recovered well to win by two lengths under jockey Jamie Spencer from outsider Reignier.

Victory in the fillies' Ribblesdale Stakes for 5-1 chance Flying Cloud ended a poor run 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."

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