in june cossack ran twice at royal ascot. in the gold vase he was involved in a close finish, dead-heating with the filly canezou for second place, a head behind the winner glenalvon, after looking the likely winner. a day later, cossack ran in the emperor of russia's plate, in front of a large crowd which included the queen and prince albert. he finished third, beaten two lengths, behind van tromp and chanticleer, in a race which, according to "bell's life", created an "extraordinary degree of excitement".