Gosden hails "smashing horse" Sweet William after Sagaro win

Sweet William proved he is still going strong by digging deep to hold off Caballo De Mar in a thrilling finish to the Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.

John and Thady Gosden’s seven-year-old has long been a stalwart of the staying scene, signing off 2025 with a second victory in the Doncaster Cup and a second to stablemate Trawlerman on British Champions Day.

And having been sent off the 5-6 favourite for his comeback run was given a fine ride by Robert Havlin, holding on by a short head to book his ticket back to the Berkshire track for the Royal meeting in June.

Thady Gosden said: “He’s a smashing horse and he’s a year older but still retains all his enthusiasm.

“He’s beaten a very good horse there and the front two have come a long way clear of the third.

“He’s a horse who likes to keep you guessing so he was quite happy to stick his head up going up the straight and after two miles round there I think the jockey was having a good blow too afterwards.

“Rab gave him a fantastic ride and knows him like one of his own children at this point and it was a good performance. He hit the front and was happy to stay there rather than go away from the second, but he was in front when it mattered at the line.”

Sweet William was cut to 12-1 from 16s to upgrade his third in 2024 and fourth last year in the Gold Cup and that will be the gelding’s main aim for the summer, despite a further run in between not being ruled out by connections.

Gosden added: “We’ll see how he comes out of it and the natural thing would be to wait for the Gold Cup, but there are other options beforehand. We’ll discuss it with his owner Mrs Philippa Cooper and make a plan.

“He’s a character and he certainly enjoys himself at home, but he also enjoys himself on track too.”

Also securing his place in the Gold Cup was the runner-up, with George Scott delighted with his ever-improving Group One winner who was giving weight all round on this occasion.

He will now head to the scene of his Prix du Cadran victory last autumn before his Royal Ascot appearance, with Scott keen to knock further freshness out of him in the Group One Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at ParisLongchamp on May 21.

Scott: “It was an unbelievable run and a career best giving weight away all round and the perfect trial for the Gold Cup.

“We know he stays two-and-a-half-miles and he was coming back at the winner at the line there giving him 2lb which is a lot over two miles.

“We’re looking forward to June now and he stays so well but for now it’s just disappointing he was beaten on the day.

“He’ll go to France for the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier and he loves his racing. He was too fresh today, he was like a bear today when trying to saddle him, I couldn’t get it on him.

“He’s an amazing, tough horse and I can’t wait to see him back here in a Gold Cup off level weights.”