Rossa Ryan's advice inspired the Sky Bet Ebor success of talented stayer Daiquiri Bay on the final day of York's racing festival. The 10-1 chance held on in an exciting finish to the £500,000 feature race, crossing the line in front of the Wathnan Racing-owned pair Hopewell Rock and Opportunity by a head and a neck.
Ryan's advice after Royal Ascot
Ryan rode Daiquiri Bay to win the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier in the season, when the chestnut stayer lowered the track record. Not seen on a racecourse since, a 67-day break was no problem for the upwardly mobile handicapper, who travelled nicely through the field and found just enough to hold on in a close finish.
"Full marks to Rossa, we sat down after Ascot and he said put him away and freshen him up," said King, delighted to go two places better than Salsalino's third when favourite in 2003. "He had a hard race and broke the track record. We haven't missed a beat in the last three weeks. He's a tough horse and it was a great ride. I'm blown away."
Ryan's week at York
Ryan, disappointed to be pipped in the Yorkshire Oaks on the unlucky-in-running Sparan Nua on Wednesday, also had to settle for second in yesterday's Nunthorpe riding Starlust, no match for US raider Bacio. But while he was out of luck in the Grade One contests, his luck changed in the valuable handicap to close out the week, as the 1m 6f journey went to plan.
He was only freed up to ride at the meeting after a 28-day race-riding ban was reduced to ten on appeal, the original punishment handed out for easing Thunder Home prematurely at Sandown on July 23. The panel did not accept that the young thoroughbred would inevitably have won had the rider pushed out continuously.
King praised by Ryan
"The man's a genius," said Ryan about King, who has won numerous top prizes on the Flat and over jumps. "We've had a year where, luckily, we've been able to plan him out. After Ascot I thought I'd leave Daiquiri Bay and come straight here. Alan agreed and he had him spot on."
Ebor gambles on Willie Mullins' number one Love Me Tender (7-2 favourite) and another Irish raider Emit (4-1) from Joseph O'Brien's stable went astray. Ascending (28-1) filled fourth as the field of 22 horses passed the post, with Beylerbeyi (20-1) in fifth.
