Sweet William Defends Doncaster Cup Title with Convincing Victory

Sweet William, trained by John and Thady Gosden and ridden exclusively by Robert Havlin, successfully defended his Group Two Betfred Howard Wright Doncaster Cup title for the second consecutive year despite a slow start and early bumping out of the stalls. The six-year-old stayer overcame being last early in the race to unleash a powerful finishing burst that secured a nearly four-length victory, marking his sixth career win and maintaining an impressive record of never finishing outside the top three in 20 races. Owners Philippa and Nick Cooper have shown steadfast loyalty to the partnership, with plans reportedly in place to target the same race next autumn, aiming to build up to it through a few other contests. Sweet William has also delivered strong performances throughout the season, including podium finishes in the Yorkshire Cup, Goodwood Cup, Lonsdale Cup, and a fourth-place in the Ascot Gold Cup, underscoring his consistency and staying power. Trainer John Gosden highlighted the horse's uniqueness and the excitement such Cup horses bring to the sport, comparing him to notable stayers like Stradivarius and Trawlerman. Havlin praised the loyalty of the Coopers and reflected on the rarity of riding a single horse throughout his career, emphasizing Sweet William's distinct character and ability.