Gold Cup Winner 2016
Winner: Don Cossack
Betting Odds: 9/4
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Owner: Gigginstown House Stud
The 88th annual running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) sponsored by Timico, an Information Technology Managed Service provider in the United Kingdom. In June 2021, Timico was rebranded to Digital Space. Even without last year’s winner, Coneygree, this was a good renewal. However, it was a relatively small field with just nine horses. The ground looked to be in Don Cossack’s favour and confidence was high.
A going description of good.
Win prize money of £327,462.50. A winning time of 6m 35.00s (fast by 15.00s).
This nine-year-old gelding, a son of Sholokov out of a once-raced mare named Depeche Toi. Bred by Gestut Etzean, original in the ownership W.B.Connors until the 24th October 2011. He was trained by Edward U Hales, once raced in a National Hunt Flat race at Punchestown.
Don Cossack would win ‘impressively’ on his second start with Gigginstown House Stud and stay with Gordon Elliott for the rest of his career.
Leading up to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Don Cossack’s penultimate race came in January (14th) when competing at Thurles (IRE) in the Ladbrokes Ireland Kinloch Brae Chase over 2m 4f on soft ground. Priced 1/8f, he was ‘ridden out, stayed on strongly’ beating three opponents.
Gordon Elliott said: ‘He did what he had to do. We were worried about the ground coming here and Bryan said he hated it. I still think he’ll be better when he gets better ground. Bryan said from the second-last to the line was when he really got going. Better ground and cheekpieces is what we want for the Gold Cup. ‘
Don Cossack ran 27 times in his career with an impressive 16 wins. He was unplaced just 5 times. He had total earning of £907,365. Ironically, he raced only once in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, being a non runner in 2015 with a ‘self certificate’.
In April 2016, he injured a tendon while preparing for his next race. He resumed training with hopes of continuing his career but the leg problem recurred.
Not bad for a horse who was said to be ‘immature and acted up before the start’ of his first race under rules.
Gordon Elliott said: ‘Don Cossack was a horse of a lifetime.’
18th March 2016 –
3:30 Cheltenham – Timico Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
A small of 9 runners on good ground.
Leading contenders included: Don Cossack 9/4f, Cue Card 5/2, Djakadam 9/2, Don Poli 9/2 & Small Place 10/1.
The race started to an enormous cheer from the crowd. O’Faolains Boy (40/1) led at the first, just in front of the grey Smad Place (10/1), who got in a little close. Don Cossack sat a little wider in third place with On His Own (50/1) and Djakadam a few lengths away in fourth. Don Poli (9/2) was held up at the back of the field.
Over the first open ditch, Smad Place had regained the lead from O’Faolains Boy. The pair three lengths clear. While at the next, Djakadam sneaked up the rail in third place, while Don Cossack travelled well in fourth, while Cue Card was given a quiet ride in fifth.
Towards the ninth fence, the leaders set a tremendous pace, which saw the field stretched out by 20-lengths. The two leaders going well in themselves at this stage.
Completing the first circuit, Smad Place revelled in his front running tactics. Passing the stand, the crowd roared, with the leading four in close contention, Cue Card sitting handy in fifth.
For a fancied runner, Don Poli was held up a long way off the pace, with Irish Cavalier (66/1) at the back of the field.
At the water jump, the first five were a few lengths clear of the field, however, Don Poli looked to be improving.
Smad Place began to struggle and was outpaced four out.
Djakadam and Ruby Walsh led at the next a fraction ahead of the gutsy O’Faolins Boy while Don Cossack sat on his shoulder three wide, but travelling well. However, his fortunes changed at the next when making a blunder, at the same time Cue Card made gains on the rail. There was still only two lengths between the four.
Heading towards the third last, there was a line of four protagonists: Djakadam, Cue Card, O’Faolins Boy & Don Cossack.
Just as Cue Card looked a major challenger, he took a terrible fall, crashing through the fence.
Mike Cattermole, commentator said: ‘Cue Card is down!’
O’Faolins Boy began to tire, instantly changing the complexion of the race.
It was out of the two horses: Djakadam and Don Cossack, both upsides, several lengths clear of the third.
Don Cossack lengthened his stride and started to clear away leading at the second last. Djakadam gritty hanging on a couple of lengths behind. ‘He’s not going down without a fight…’
Coming to the last: ‘Don Cossack measured it beautifully.’
‘He’s four lengths clear, as they race on up the hill. Don Cossack will win the Timico Gold Cup!’
Cheltenham Gold Cup Results:
2015 – non runner (self certificate)
2016 – 1st
Major wins: Future Champ INH Flat Race (2011), Drinmore Novice Chase (2013), Daily Star Chase (2014, 2015), Powers Irish Whiskey Chase (2014), Punchestown Chase (2015), Kinloch Brea Chase (2015, 2016), Melling Chase (2015), Punchestown Gold Cup (2015), Jnwine.com Champion Chase (2015) & Cheltenham Gold Cup (2016).
Awards:
Top-rated National Hunt horse (2015, 2016)
Irish Horse of the Year (2015)