Champion stayer Kyprios wins on Navan reappearance Champion stayer Kyprios extended a recent winning spell to eight races on his Navan seasonal reappearance today, landing the Listed Bar One Racing Vintage Crop Stakes for a third time. Sandwiched between the seven year old's Ascot Gold Cups triumphs of 2022 and ‘24 was a life-threatening joint infection which sidelined him for 344 days but having dominated last year, scored comfortably today. Ridden by Ryan Moore, Kyprios (1/7f) raced with the pace in the six-runner race, and while runner-up Enfranchise ensured a good workout, the result was never in doubt, and two lengths separated the pair. Winning champion trainer Aidan O’Brien, earlier successful with Charles Darwin and Whistlejacket, reported “Kyprios just does what he has to do and Ryan was very happy with him - so delighted. The plan will be to go back to Leopardstown (Saval Beg Stakes) then the Gold Cup.” He added “he is just totally relaxed, he's in second gear all the time and he's very classy. Ryan rides him great and he has a big team around him. "He's a remarkable horse, it is incredible that he is here and what he is doing. He's as enthusiastic as he ever was, he was like that as a two-year-old as well and his demeanour hasn't changed. "It is pure, raw ability with him." Regarding a possible late-season tilt at the Prix d’Arc, he added “it is possible. He went to the Cadran last year and if he ended up at that same stage this time, it is possible." Quotes from Michael Graham
