Courage Mon Ami , who had been working toward a defense of his 2023 Ascot Gold Cup (G1) win, has suffered a setback according to owners Wathnan Racing.
The 5-year-old, who is as short as 6-1 to claim next month’s Royal Ascot group 1, has not been seen since chasing home Coltrane in the Lonsdale Cup (G2) at York in August. Courage Mon Ami won his first four starts for John and Thady Gosden and scored at Goodwood last May before following up in the Gold Cup under Frankie Dettori.
“He had a bit of a training setback last week and had some time off, and we’re now investigating this week to see whether it’s serious or not,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing. “Until we really dig into it, we just don’t know so we’ll see what the vets find and then we can make a plan.”
Wathnan burst onto the international scene with two victories at Royal Ascot last season courtesy of Courage Mon Ami and his stablemate Gregory , who remains on course for the Ascot Gold Cup. The 4-year-old won the Queen’s Vase (G2) before finishing third in the Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2) and fifth in the St Leger (G1) on his final start last season.
After finishing third on his seasonal reappearance in the Yorkshire Cup (G2) over a mile and six furlongs behind Giavellotto , Gregory is 7-1 generally for the Gold Cup.
Brown said: “The Gold Cup is very much the plan for him. We thought he ran a lovely race at York. James (Doyle) is quite taken with him and I think both he and John Gosden feel he’ll get the extended trip. He’s very much on target for that.”
Leave feedback about this