Scandinavia Heads Gold Cup Cast, Legacy Link In The Ribblesdale

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 | 5:45 am

By Tom Frary

Ballydoyle's star stayer Scandinavia — File photo dated 10-07-2025 of Scandinavia who can justify favouritism by giving trainer Aidan O'Brien a ninth win in the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster. Issue date: Friday September 12, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read Steven Paston for The Jockey Club/PA Wire.

Thursday's G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot will see 11 stayers line up, with Ballydoyle's Scandinavia (Justify) set to tackle last year's hero Trawlerman (Golden Horn) in a clash to savour.

Last year's St Leger hero will be the sole runner for Aidan O'Brien as the trainer seeks a record-extending 10th renewal, with Godolphin's Trawlerman one of two for the Gosdens alongside Normandie Stud's stalwart Sweet William (Sea The Stars).

Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Leger runner-up and Yorkshire Cup winner Rahiebb (Frankel), Victorious Forever's Prix du Cadran and Prix Vicomtesse Vigier hero Caballo De Mar (Phoenix Of Spain) and Australian Bloodstock's high-class Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett) add lustre to a strong renewal. The field is completed by Carmers (Wootton Bassett), Dubai Future (Dubawi), Al Nayyir (Dubawi), Furthur (Waldgeist) and Miss Alpilles (Sea The Stars).

In the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes, Juddmonte have confirmed the Oaks runner-up and Musidora winner Legacy Link (Dubawi) among the dozen runners, with the operation double-handed in the 12-furlong contest after Francis Graffard confirmed Gilded Prize (Frankel).