Dazzling Godolphin double as Trawlerman shatters record

On a sun-splashed Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot, Dubai's unstoppable Godolphin stable reigned supreme with a thrilling double crowned by a record-breaking Gold Cup (G1) triumph from Trawlerman and a landmark victory for Saeed bin Suroor in the Britannia Stakes.

- Leslie Wilson Jr

The highlight came in the day's showpiece race when Trawlerman, last year's gallant runner-up, bounced back to claim British racing's most prestigious and biggest staying prize, at the historic meeting clocking a new track record time of 4m 15.02s.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the seven-year-old gelded son of 2015 Epsom Derby hero Golden Horn, broke the previous Gold Cup best set by Rite Of Passage in 2010 by nearly two seconds.

Ridden with supreme confidence by William Buick, Trawlerman made all the running, dictating a perfect pace and never looking back. When Illinois, the Aidan O'Brien-trained second favourite loomed into contention, Buick shook the reins and the response was electric.

Trawlerman, a seven-year-old gelding by 2015 Epsom Derby hero Golden Horn, powered clear to win by seven commanding lengths, with Bin Suroor's Dubai Gold Cup (G1) winner Dubai Future finishing third, also in the royal blue silks of Godolphin, the stable created by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in 1993.