for the 1981 season, ardross raced in the ownership of charles st george and was sent to england to be trained at newmarket by henry cecil. he began his season in the yorkshire cup in may, when he started at odds of 2/1 and won by three lengths from nicholas bill. in the ascot gold cup, he faced three opponents, only one of whom, the filly shoot a line, was given any chance against him. starting at odds of 30/100, he was sent into the lead by piggott with half a mile to run and won by a length from shoot a line. the goodwood cup attracted a bigger field, including the queen alexandra stakes winner donegal prince and the cesarewitch handicap winner popsi's joy. ardross won by a length from donegal prince at odds of 2/9, becoming the shortest-priced winner of the race since 1935.