YEATS CONTINUED his domination of the staying division with a second victory in the Royal Bank Of Scotland Goodwood Cup, but trainer Aidan O'Brien missed the spectacle after his flight was grounded.
The Coolmore hierarchy were unable to leave Waterford Airport due to heavy morning rain, but thankfully Yeats and jockey Johnny Murtagh made it to the Sussex Downs to put in an exhibition.
Racing for the first time since matching Sagaro's record of three Gold Cups at Royal Ascot, the 8 to 15 favourite used his well-documented huge heart and lungs to capture the two-mile event by a whopping seven lengths.
Darryll Holland on Tungsten Strike towed him up, down and round the contours of the rolling track before Murtagh gathered his mount up to pounce at the top of the hill.
The seven-year-old gathered a full head of steam and ploughed past the front-runner two furlongs out for the most comfortable of victories, with Godolphin's Sagara following the pair home in third.
Yeats - a one-time Derby favourite - is unbeaten in his three runs this year and was the shortest-priced winning favourite of the Goodwood Cup since Longboat obliged in 1986 at 1 to 3.
"It was very straightforward and I suppose today was easier than Ascot as he settled so well," Murtagh said. "We went a good pace and he travelled around there easy. I was always in control and had Darryll in my sights all the way.
"At the top of the straight I asked him to extend on a long rein and he quickened up well.
"It was then just a matter of keeping going when he hits the front, but he is in great form at the moment and Séamus (Heffernan), who rides him out at home says he has improved from Ascot.
"It is just so smooth and he gave me an armchair ride."
Although not a Group One race - of which Ballydoyle have captured 16 this season - the Goodwood Cup is another major trophy for Team Ballydoyle.
Murtagh added: "He is just another one of those great horses we have down there at the moment and he is the top stayer in the yard at the moment.
"We have a couple more there snapping at his heels and Aidan's biggest problem will probably be picking between Septimus and him."
And paying tribute to his absent boss, he continued: "Aidan sets the tone and is very positive in the morning.
"We have some great people there and it is not by accident that this has happened."
Murtagh fell foul of the stewards when spotted using a mobile phone outside of the official area for calls, and was fined £290.
