York's Lonsdale Cup: Trawlerman digs deep under William Buick for glory for John and Thady Gosden
Unlike at Royal Ascot where he quickened clear, they were queuing up in his slipstream this time at York but Trawlerman showed his relentless staying power to gallop on to the line and lead home a Clarehaven one-two, with well-backed stablemate Sweet William chasing him home in second
Friday 22 August 2025 15:34, UK
Trawlerman confirmed himself as the standout performer in the staying division in the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup Stakes at York.
John and Thady Gosden's seven-year-old won the Ebor on the Knavesmire three years ago and remained unbeaten on home soil this season with a performance that may have been less conclusive than his Gold Cup romp, but equally impressive in the manner in which he professionally repelled his rivals.
Unable to get his own way at the front this time with Aidan O'Brien's Shackleton alongside throughout the majority of the early exchanges, William Buick pushed his mount along entering the home straight and asked for him to showcase the stamina that is his forte.
Unlike at Royal Ascot when the 5/6 favourite left his rivals trailing, they were queuing up in his slipstream this time around but Trawlerman showed his relentless staying power to gallop on to the line and lead home a Clarehaven one-two, with well-backed stablemate Sweet William a length and a quarter adrift in second.
Trawlerman was made favourite for the Qipco Long Distance Cup at Ascot on British Champions Day, with his handler suggesting that would be his next target.
John Gosden said: "The two of them have come away and they are proper, proper staying horses.
"One is seven and the other is six, and they are a lot of fun because staying races are an important part of our programme, so it's lovely to see him come from the Gold Cup to win the Lonsdale.
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"We will freshen him up now and all being well, he will run one more time this year at Ascot on Champions Day.
"The horses tell you if you listen to them, if you force them, it never works. We are delighted with them both and to see the quality of that, it's a long straight here and it was a proper old battle between the pair of them.
"It will be Doncaster [for Sweet William] all being well.
"He's [Trawlerman] getting on, and you have to respect his age.
"They tell you how to train, the older they get, they get a little wiser than the trainer, so you listen to them and they tell you."
Al Nayyir delighted trainer Tom Clover in finishing third, beaten a total of five-and-a-half lengths
He said: "He ran a lovely race, they didn't go overly hard but he was able to pick up nicely.
"I think now, with the age he is, he might just appreciate a little more cut in the ground but that said, we've given them a good race and we're thrilled with our boy.
"He deserves to pick up a Group race at some point and hopefully he can do that soon.
"Doncaster might come a touch soon for him, we'll have to see how he is, otherwise there's the Listed Rose Bowl at Newmarket."
Lifeplan pounces in Gimcrack for Declan Carroll and Zak Wheatley
A significant step up in class proved no barrier to success for Declan Carroll's Lifeplan in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York.
A €165,000 yearling purchase in October last year, the Kodi Bear colt made a winning start to his career at Thirsk in late July but faced a far sterner test at Group Two level on the Knavesmire.
Settled in midfield by Zak Wheatley for much of the six-furlong contest, Lifeplan (13-2) found plenty when asked to reel in Rock On Thunder and was a length in front at the line, with 2-1 favourite Do Or Do Not five lengths further behind in third, as he again placed in a Pattern event.
"He's a very nice horse and he's always showed that he's a nice horse," said Malton-based Carroll.
"I would have liked a bit more juice in the ground, he changed legs once or twice.
"He's a nice horse to go forward with, you saw how he ran down the leader and we've always held him in high regard.
"I thought it was a stiff task after just winning a novice to come into a Group Two, but he is very streetwise.
"We'll enjoy today. He could be a Guineas horse, I guess, he's in the Middle Park and that may his next step, but I'd want a bit of ease in the ground coming into the dip at Newmarket."
A jubilant Wheatley - who is still eligible to claim 3lb - said: "It's amazing - there's no feeling like this. To be trusted with him on the track is massive. I look after him every day at home, so I know him well.
"He was a bit keen going down and we had a plan to get a lead, but he jumped smart and came back underneath me after a few strides. It's a long straight and he really took off at the end.
"I thought at one stage we were struggling to get the runner-up, but this horse is amazing. He's a beast, that's got such an engine."
Of Rock Of Thunder, fellow Malton trainer Kevin Ryan said: "We were a little bit concerned about the ground, that it might be a little bit too quick for him, but he handled it OK.
"He's jumped, he's travelled and got up fairly quickly when we went past the two and I thought it was done and dusted.
"But he's a very good horse, we think an awful lot of him and he'll have bigger and better days ahead.
"When you get done late on it's hard, Declan is a friend of mine and I'm delighted for him, but I'm obviously disappointed.
"He's run great, he's a young horse and an exciting horse for the future. We got beat and I'm delighted for the connections of the winner."
