Horse-racing: Cavalryman eyes Yorkshire Cup success

Dubai: Cavalryman can end Godolphin’s long wait for a sixth victory in the Group 3 QIPCO Yorkshire Cup, a gruelling 14-furlong contest which kicks-off the British Champions Series Long Distance programme.

The seven-year-old son of Halling looks the pick of the nine horse field which also includes seasoned stayers Joshua Tree, a dual Canadian International Stakes (G1) winner, Irish St Leger scorer Royal Diamond and last season’s Yorkshire Cup runner-up Glen’s Diamond.

Trained by Saeed Bin Suroor, who saddled Godolphin’s previous winners of the race — Mamool (2003), Marienbard (2001), Kayf Tara (2000), Classic Cliche (1996) and Moonax (1995) — Cavalryman will be ridden by Silvestre De Sousa.

On his most recent start in the $1 million (Dh3.67 million) Dubai Gold Cup (G3) at Meydan, Cavalryman showed that he has not lost his passion for marathon contests with a comfortable three-length victory over an international field.

Traditionally the Yorkshire Cup attracts top class stayers and has been won in the past by horses who have gone on to win the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, Britain’s only Group 1 race for stayers.

It is also the final day’s highlight of the three-day Dante Festival.