The Dylan Cunha-trained Asgard’s Captain (pictured above) led home a British 1-2 and denied Claymore in brilliant Kincsem Dij win for Dylan Cunha in Hungary on September 6
Racing Post (Matt Rennie)
Dylan Cunha’s audacious adventure to Hungary with Asgard’s Captain paid off handsomely in a thrilling Kincsem Dij, in which the six-year-old held off last year’s winner Claymore in a photo-finish.
Asgard’s Captain and the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained seven-year-old were the British runners in the 1m4f local Group 1 at Kincsem Park in the country’s capital, Budapest.
It looked as if Claymore was going to successfully defend his title when well clear in the home straight under Saffie Osborne. However, he drifted to the centre of the course in the closing stages and Asgard’s Captain nabbed his rival on the line under Marco Ghiani and scooped the first prize of more than £47,000.
Cunha said: “This means a lot. It’s a long way and was an expensive trip, but he’s been a great horse. This was the plan since Claymore won this last year. They’ve faced each other so much before, and this felt like it was the decider.
“It was very brave of the owners [Quest Thoroughbreds] to come here, because it’s a risky journey, but they were game and that made a big difference.”
It was another notable success with Asgard’s Captain for the trainer, the son of Make Believe having won at last year’s Ebor meeting and the Shergar Cup last month.
The gelding is set to go on his travels again, and Cunha is already eyeing a return to Budapest for the 2027 Kincsem Dij.
He said: “Kincsem Park has been amazing. The stables are lovely and the track was beautiful. We’ve had a great time in Budapest. We’ve been here for a few days, and we can’t wait to be back.
“Asgard’s Captain will now go back to Britain and have a rest before going to Dubai for the winter. The racing fans of Hungary can follow him there.”
