As the excitement builds for Saturday’s big Scottish sprint – we look back at past Ayr Gold Cup winners – which highlights a trainer that has fired in a remarkable FIVE wins in the race since 2007.
Trainer Kevin Ryan Has Trained FIVE Ayr Gold Cup Winners Since 2007
If you like the angle of looking for trainers that have good records in certain races – then, when it comes to the Ayr Gold Cup, you should end your search with Kevin Ryan.
The North Yorkshire-based handler has landed the Ayr Gold Cup five times since 2007 with Advanced (2007), Our Jonathan (2011), Captain Ramius (2012), Brando (2016) and Bielsa (2021).
He’s back for more in 2025, with several leading Ayr Gold Cup runners as he searches for win number six.
At this stage, Ryan’s best chance of adding to his past Ayr Gold Cup winners in 2025 is with Ain’t Nobody and Hammer The Hammer
Ain’t Nobody ran a blinder to be second to Asfoora in the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes at York last month (watch below).
And based on that York effort, it’s no surprise many of the leading horse racing betting sites are making Ain’t Nobody the market leader.
The other main Ryan hope, Hammer The Hammer has had a top season too – winning three times this year.
Plus, was second in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and last seen running midfield in the Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood.
Regular rider, Tom Eaves has already been booked to ride Hammer The Hammer.
When Is The Ayr Gold Cup 2025?
📅Date: Saturday 20th September 2025
⌚Time: 3:35pm
🏇Racecourse: Ayr (6f)
💰Winning Purse: £92,772
📺 TV: ITV and Racing TV
The Last Ayr Gold Cup ‘Back-to-Back’ Winner Was In The 1930’s
With 25 runners heading to post in the Ayr Gold Cup, it goes without saying it’s one of the most competitive sprint handicaps on the horse racing calendar.
Therefore, it’s no shock that we’ve seen many different winners over the years.
With the Ayr Gold Cup trends telling us the last ‘back-to-back’ hero came in 1930 and 1931 with a horse called Heronslea.
Yes, when looking back at past Ayr Gold Cup winner – the eagle-eyed out there will notice in 2002 and 2004 the Dandy Nicholls-trained Funfair Wane won the race twice.
However, he didn’t do it consecutive seasons – having finished 25th (of 26th) in the year in between his victories.
But we won’t be seeing that run broken in 2025 – as last year’s winner LETHAL LEVI (watch below), who did have an initial entry, has now been pulled out of the race.
2024 Third Korker Could Be Back 13lbs Lower
Last year, Lethal Levi also led home a remarkable 1-2-3 for trainer Karl Burke, with Silkie Wilkie (2nd) and Korker (3rd) also hitting the podium and the third still in the 2025 declarations.
This 6 year-old is back rated 6lbs lower too and if regular rider Jack Nicholls gets the call to claim a handy 7lbs – this would mean his back 13lbs lower than 12 months ago.
The betting sites make KORKER a tempting-looking 25/1 shot at this stage.
Karl Burke also won the Ayr Gold Cup in 1994 with Daring Destiny and in 1998 with Always Alight.
We could also see last year’s 5th Jordan Electrics back rated a pound lower and 6th Commanche Falls off a 9lb lower mark.
Ayr Gold Cup Winners (The Last 20 Years)
- 2024 – Lethal Levi (20/1)
- 2023 – Significantly (8/1 jfav)
- 2022 – Summerghand (12/1)
- 2021 – Bielsa (15/2)
- 2020 – Nahaarr (7/2 fav)
- 2019 – Angel Alexander (28/1)
- 2018 – Baron Bolt (28/1) & Son Of A Rest (5/1 fav)
- 2017 – Donjuan Triumphant (13/2)
- 2016 – Brando (11/1)
- 2015 – Don’t Touch (6/1 fav)
- 2014 – Louis The Pious (10/1)
- 2013 – Highland Colori (20/1)
- 2012 – Captain Ramius (16/1)
- 2011 – Our Jonathan (11/1)
- 2010 – Redford (14/1)
- 2009 – Jimmy Styles (14/1)
- 2008 – Regal Parade (18/1)
- 2007 – Advanced (20/1)
- 2006 – Fonthill Road (16/1)
- 2005 – Presto Shinko (12/1)
