The new star stayer on the block is to take a tried and tested Ballydoyle route to the Ascot Gold Cup. Scandinavia is to follow in Kyprios’ hoofprints as Aidan O’Brien seeks a tenth win in the race.
Kyprios was responsible for two of those. Despite an injury curtailing the middle of his career, the chestnut won the Gold Cup in both 2022 and 2024. Before both of those victories, he had won the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan and then the Group 3 Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown.
Scandinavia has proven more precocious than Kyprios thus far. Unlike his vaunted stablemate, he enjoyed a prosperous Classic campaign, culminating in St Leger glory. He had already broken through at Group 1 level in the Goodwood Cup too.
Nevertheless, the son of Justify requires plenty more top level prizes to match Kyprios. He has followed the first step down the Gold Cup path, winning the Vintage Crop Stakes last month. He has now been declared for Leopardstown this Friday, with the Gold Cup at Ascot just over one month away.
“He has a great mind” – O’Brien
Kyprios had the fortune of stepping into an open staying division when landing the 2022 Gold Cup. Scandinavia has the added pressure of there being a staying head honcho in his way: John & Thady Gosden’s Trawlerman. The eight-year-old won the 2025 Gold Cup by seven lengths.
Even with that rival lying in wait, O’Brien is confident in his charge’s progress so far. He has successfully navigated an often tricky period between turning three and four.
“He’s very well,” O’Brien said to the Sporting Life. “He’s going back to Leopardstown on Friday on the way to the Gold Cup. That will be interesting.
“We were delighted with him first time back. He was sleeping along there, he could end up a very good stayer that horse.”
O’Brien’s comments are similar to those he often made regarding Kyprios. The “sleepy” nature of Scandinavia may seem like a backhanded compliment. However, in racing terms, that is not to say he is slow, but rather races without overexerting himself. In staying races, where keenness can prove the greatest weakness, it is a superb asset to have, as O’Brien hinted in his concluding words.
“He has a great mind and he’s only a four-year-old.”
Though stayer soften improve with age, four-year-olds have won eight of the last 14 Gold Cups. The last two have gone to older horses though, something Scandinavia could seek to achieve in 2027.