AL RIFFA after winning the Irish St. Leger at Curragh in Ireland.

AL RIFFA after winning the Irish St. Leger at Curragh in Ireland. Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Al Riffa, trained by Joseph O'Brien and raced by Jamie Lovett and Luke Murrell's Australian Bloodstock, began his global travels when he won the Irish St Leger at The Curragh last September.

He then carried topweight of 59kg in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November and ran seventh to Half Yours.

O'Brien took his stayer to Hong Kong next for the International Vase (2400m) last December where he ran a close fourth to Sosie.

Al Riffa raced next in the United Arab Emirates in March when he contested the Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) and finished sixth to Fairy Glen before going to France last start when he finished a close third to Caballo De Mar in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (3200m).

O'Brien's stayer is in England today taking on some of Europe's best stayers in the Ascot Gold Cup, first run in 1807 and the oldest race or the Royal Ascot carnival.

Lovett conceded the Gold Cup's marathon 4000m will test Al Riffa's stamina reserves to the limit.

"If Al Riffa stays, that is the big question mark,'' Lovett said.

"He's a 'fast' horse and all his best form has been at a mile and a half (a2400m).

"So, if he stays he is absolutely a live chance. It's a bit of an unknown but we are really keen to have a crack as it's a time-honoured race the Gold Cup and it's a thrill to have a runner.''

Lovett said what persuaded connections to start Al Riffa in the Gold Cup was the fact most of the runners had not been tested over the extreme staying trip either.

AL RIFFA winning the Irish St. Leger at Curragh in Ireland.

AL RIFFA winning the Irish St. Leger at Curragh in Ireland. Picture: Pat Healy Photography

"There are no genuine stayers like Stradivarius or Kyprios in the race,'' Lovett said.

"So, they may not go that hard and that will suit us because they will have to ride him to run the trip.''

In the long history of the race, there have been no fewer than 23 multiple winners of the Gold Cup including, most recently, champion Kyprios in 2022 and 2024.

Stradivarius (2018-19-20) and Sagaro (1975-76-77) were three-time winners while the great Yeats stands alone for his famous four-peat in 2006-07-08-09.

Trawlerman is back to attempt to join the list of multiple Ascot Gold Cup winners after he dominated the race last year but he has had some eye trouble in recent weeks and goes to the big race without a lead-up run.

Irish maestro Aidan O'Brien, the trainer of Yeats, is chasing a record 10th Ascot Gold Cup and has the outstanding Scandinavia as his stable entry.

Classy Scandinavia won the English St Leger and Goodwood Cup at Group 1 level last season, he's returned with strong wins in the Vintage Crop Stakes and Levmoss Stakes and is taking a five-race winning streak to the Ascot Gold Cup.

Australian Bloodstock will be hoping to go one better at Royal Ascot with Al Riffa after narrowly missing with Defiantly, runner-up to Kizlyar in the Ascot Stakes on Day One of the carnival.

Defiantly's owners including Fox League host Yvonne Sampson and her husband, media identity Chris O'Keefe were on track for their four-year-old stayer's game effort at the end of 4000m.

"It was a thrill, for all the owners here it feels like they won,'' Lovett said.

"I went the early crow when he went past me at the furlong, he certainly stays all day.

"To be fair he probably is a bit slow for Australian racing but we will talk with Joseph (O'Brien, trainer) and map out a plan.

"We don't have any real big goals but he will pay his way and could be a horse to bring back here next year for that race when he is a little bit more seasoned.''