When it comes to Cup victories, Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle team are usually concerned with those that have the words "July" or "Breeders'" before them but Yeats took more than himself into new territory when landing a resounding success in yesterday's Ascot Gold Cup.
It was a first victory in the two-and-a-half-mile marathon for both O'Brien and the Coolmore supremo John Magnier as the one-time Derby favourite notched the second Group One of his career with a four-length defeat of France's top stayer Reefscape with the favourite Distinction a head back in third.
Quite how such a success fits into the ruthlessly businesslike Coolmore operation, and the speed-obsessed world of modern breeding, is hard to know but those who like to see quality on a racecourse in whatever guise can only have been impressed.
The mile and three quarters of last year's Irish Leger had been the longest Yeats had ever been asked to stretch before but there was never a question of Kieren Fallon riding him like a non-stayer. Instead, once the gates opened, the jockey had him in the first four throughout. Turning in Yeats swept past High Action and the result was never in doubt.
"I had such a dream run, I was able to come out when I wanted, and I knew my horse had a lot of class," Fallon reported. "They went quick and I saved a lot of gas so he could show the speed he has over a mile and a half."
O'Brien described the win as a "super feeling" and was quick to praise his staff for their handling of a talented horse who had been favourite for the 2004 Derby only for injury to ruin his classic year.
"There were a few little problems in the spring so we had to be patient. We thought after the Irish Leger he would get two miles but you never know about this trio until they do it," said O'Brien who also won Tuesday's Queen Anne with Ad Valorem.
"Kieren has always had a lot of confidence in this horse and we just have to keep him sound now," said O'Brien
The race had a sad postscript, however, as Media Puzzle, winner of the 2002 Melbourne Cup, broke down in the final furlong and was quickly dismounted by Pat Smullen. The Dermot Weld-trained nine-year-old was later put down after receiving extensive veterinary attention.
City Of Tribes was the Irish hope in the Norfolk Stakes but Ger Lyons's first Ascot runner didn't figure at the finish behind Dutch Art who had almost two lengths in hand of the unlucky favourite Hoh Mike who was stopped in his run from the rail.
Jamie Spencer had better luck, and secured his fourth win of the week, when the heavily backed favourite Sir Gerard justified the gamble in style in the Britannia Handicap.
Ivy Creek was another warm favourite for the Hampton Court Stakes but he proved disappointing and had no answer to the final challenge of the 33 to 1 outsider Snoqualmie Boy who powered up the outside to win under John Egan.
