Daiquiri Bay continued the momentum built at Royal Ascot by securing another lucrative win in the Sky Bet Ebor at York. The four‑year‑old, long regarded as a shrewd handicapper for trainer Alan King, has stepped up his performance since being gelded during the off‑season. After a comeback victory at Newmarket, he followed that with a narrow but decisive win in the Copper Horse Stakes at the Royal meeting in June, confirming his rising form.
For the £500,000 highlight of the Ebor Festival, King chose to keep his horse fresh, a decision that paid off handsomely. Rossa Ryan settled Daiquiri Bay mid‑pack for much of the one‑mile‑six‑furlong contest, then made his decisive move just after the final turn. With a clean rail on the inside, the bay colt surged forward in the closing stages, edging past the Wathnan Racing entries Hopewell Rock and Opportunity in a thrilling three‑way finish. "It was a great ride from Rossa and I'm just blown away," King said after the race.
He added that while he still has several hurdlers in his stable, he does not intend to switch Daiquiri Bay to jumps at this stage. "This has been the plan since Ascot," he explained. "After that race Rossa suggested we give him a rest and aim for the Ebor because he had a tough run. He broke the track record at Ascot, so we could afford a short break and then build him back up." The day’s broader racing news included a BHA warning about the lack of rain ahead of the jumps season, as well as several Sky Sports Racing updates covering Newbury, Wolverhampton, Lingfield Park, and a debut win for Camarda Rc at Windsor.
In France, Aventure ended Diamond Necklace’s unbeaten streak with a victory in the Sumbe Prix Jean et Louis Romanet at Deauville. Rossa Ryan, who piloted Daiquiri Bay to the win, described the effort as "great" and highlighted the horse’s adaptability to softer ground. "His preparation has gone great, the rain came and I almost think he's a better horse on slow ground," he said.
King reflected on the significance of the triumph, noting the historical weight of the Ebor. "It’s a very special day. We had the favourite back in 2003 with Salsalino, but he only finished third.
This race means a lot," he recalled. He praised Daiquiri Bay’s positioning throughout the race and expressed confidence that the Wathnan horses would have been a challenge. "He was entitled to do what he did and he was still on the up, so we hoped.
Horses we've brought here before have been more exposed. We actually needed him to go up after Ascot so he was guaranteed a run," King explained. The emotional impact of winning such a prestigious event was evident. "When you win these big races it is always emotional and we don't win as many as we used to.
I've always tried to win an Ebor but you need one on the way up and this one was," King said, underscoring how the victory fits into his long‑term ambitions. When asked whether the Melbourne Cup might now be on his radar, King laughed, "I don’t travel, you do well to get me to go to York!" His light‑hearted response highlighted his focus on British racing while acknowledging the allure of international targets. Wathnan Racing’s adviser Richard Brown expressed pride in the second‑ and third‑place finishes of Hopewell Rock and Opportunity.
He suggested that Hopewell Rock could be a contender for Australia’s most famous race in November. "It’s one of those where you are delighted that they have run so well but you want to win – all credit to Alan King because his horse was so brave," Brown said. Brown also praised the handling of Opportunity, noting the challenges the horse has presented.
"Opportunity has not been an easy horse; he’s actually been quite difficult so William (Haggas) and his team have done a brilliant job with him. He might be a Cup horse next year, we’ll see. He’ll get better with age," Brown added.
Overall, Daiquiri Bay’s Ebor victory not only adds a significant purse to his record but also cements his status as a rising star in middle‑distance flat racing. The win showcases Alan King’s training acumen, Rossa Ryan’s riding skill, and the strategic patience that has allowed the gelding to develop after his Ascot triumph. As the season progresses, connections will likely target further Group races, while keeping an eye on potential international campaigns, should the horse’s form continue to improve.
The excitement generated by this performance promises to keep fans and punters alike eagerly watching Daiquiri Bay’s next steps on the track.