Even at 70%, Rideallday too good for rivals in Philip Feanny Gold Cup

Many-time champion conditioner Philip Feanny didn’t need to see 100 per cent of Rideallday (USA) to know he still has the best horse in training in Jamaica at the moment. Even at “about 70 per cent fit”, Rideallday, the current Horse of the Year, reminded Caymanas Park exactly why he wears the crown, producing his trademark late surge to collar debutant The Prince’s Spur (USA) and win the 54th running of the $2.5-million Philip Feanny Gold Cup on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Ridden by veteran jockey Ian “Dolly Baby” Spence, Rideallday took the Graded Stakes/Open Allowance feature over 7 furlongs (1,400m) by a length in 1:23.2 (23.0 x 45.4 x 1:10.4) — a namesake victory that doubles as the perfect launchpad for his real target, the Mouttet Mile in December.

For Feanny, the performance answered the biggest question coming in — how had Rideallday recovered from his fifth place finish in the Diamond Mile on July 27? Trainer Philip Feanny (left) and jockey Ian Spence in the Parade Ring observing Rideallady ahead of the Gold Cup on Saturday, September 5, 2026. (Photo: Garfield Robinson) “He [Rideallday] came out of the last race [Diamond Mile] a little tired and dehydrated I don’t know why,” Feanny said in a post-race interview.

“So we just freshened him up and brought him here about 70 per cent. I am fairly satisfied with the performnace. He has a little bit more to go,” he further added.

That “more to go” is by design as the Gold Cup was never the endgame. “Well, I mean, the main target is the Mouttet Mile and you never bring a horse 100 per cent before your main target,” Feanny stated. Cheryl Peart (left) and Jan Lawe of of Cassiopeia Racing Inc, owner of Rideallday, pose with the Philip Feanny Gold Cup Trophy after Rideallday won the race on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

(Photo: Garfield Robinson) Rideallday settled in third early, tracking Pack Plays (USA), ridden by Emelio McLean, and The Prince’s Spur, ridden by Tajay Suckoo. While the front-runners duelled, Spence kept him relaxed and travelling smoothly. Approaching the distance, The Prince’s Spur kicked clear and looked set to steal it but Spence angled Rideallday to the inside rails in deep stretch, asked him, and the champion responded immediately.

Rideallday powered home ahead of The Prince’s Spur holding second and Pack Plays finished third. “When I saw that he was comfortable and I had him on the ri…