There was delight for Alan King in the Ebor as his Daiquiri Bay claimed York‘s top handicap prize. It was a first win in the race for a British trainer in four years. Later in the weekend, there was less joy for Aidan O’Brien, as Diamond Necklace lost her unbeaten record at Deauville.
Here is today’s racing news round-up to start the week.
York Ebor meeting: Round-up of Friday & Saturday’s big results
Daiquiri Bay proved a game winner of the Ebor Handicap on Saturday at York. The eponymous handicap had another well-supported Willie Mullins-trained favourite in Love Me Tender. The four-year-old was too keen though as the race unfolded between three British runners. Daiquiri Bay dug deep to win a third straight race, denying Wathnan Racing hopefuls Hopewell Rock and top-weight Opportunity. The 10/1 shot was a first winner in the race for King, a dual purpose trainer. (BBC)
The Group 1 contest at York on Saturday was the City Of York Stakes. Run just before the Ebor, the race went the way of the top-class Notable Speech. The Godolphin five-year-old won the 2000 Guineas back in 2024 and was having just his second run over shorter than 1m. He proved fully adept to the drop to 7f though, careering away to glory. Charlie Appleby’s charge is now a six-time Group 1 hero across the world. Another tilt at the Breeders’ Cup Mile is likely to conclude the campaign, and potentially his storied career. (Racing Post)
Friday was all about American raider Bacio in the Nunthorpe Stakes. A Royal Ascot handicap winner, Wesley Ward’s three-year-old was stepping up to the biggest stage on the Knavesmire. However, his speed form the outset was too hot to handle for his mostly European rivals. He and Juan Hernandez cruised home by more than a length from Starlust and Rumstar. It provided a sweet victory for Ward, who so narrowly missed out on a Nunthrope victory nine years ago with Lady Aurelia. (Paulick Report)
Deauville: Aventure busts Diamond Necklace’s unbeaten run & Senorita Bonita wows
Diamond Necklace’s unbeaten career record came to a crashing end at Deauville on Sunday. Aidan O’Brien’s filly contested the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville three weeks on form her cosy Nassau Stakes triumph. However, despite pre-race odds of 2/5, Diamond Necklace was outsparkled, finishing second to Aventure under Ryan Moore. Christophe Ferland’s mare was adding a second Group 1 to her CV, having won the Prix Vermeille last term. She was also second in the 2024 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe behind Bluestocking. (Sky Sports)
One race previously, there was a huge success for Britain at the French track. One of the season’s top juveniles, Senorita Bonita, stormed to success in the Group 1 Prix Morny. Simon & Ed Crisford’s two-year-old had already won a competitive edition of the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting last month. She improved once again on Sunday though, producing a blistering turn-of-foot at Deauville. She scorched the turf for a four-length success over rank outsider Carry The Flag. (Racing TV)