Daiquiri Bay continued his steady climb through the staying ranks with a determined victory in Tuesday’s Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, overcoming a difficult trip to edge out familiar rival Gamrai in a gripping finish.
Royal Ascot results.
The four-year-old arrived at Ascot on the back of an encouraging Newmarket success and once again proved too strong for Gamrai, who pressed him all the way to the line. Under a well-judged ride from Rossa Ryan, Daiquiri Bay found enough in the closing stages to secure victory by a head after the pair pulled clear of much of the field.
Paddy The Squire finished strongly from the rear to take third, while Irish challenger Aeronautic filled fourth place.
The result marked another notable step forward for Daiquiri Bay, whose profile has risen considerably over the past 12 months. Having been unplaced in last year’s King George V Stakes at the Royal meeting, he returned this time as a more mature and complete performer.
Trainer Alan King admitted circumstances during the race were not ideal. Drawn wide, Daiquiri Bay was forced to settle further back than connections had intended, leaving Ryan with work to do as the field turned for home.
Despite those complications, the gelding responded impressively when asked for his effort, continuing a run of improvement that has encouraged connections to think beyond his current level.
King suggested the horse could eventually be aimed at a jumping career, although there remains unfinished business on the Flat. The trainer believes the gelding possesses enough pace to remain competitive over shorter distances while still retaining the stamina that has become his trademark.
The victory was also a particularly satisfying one for Ryan, who has built a strong association with King over recent seasons. The jockey revealed that connections had targeted the race months in advance and were rewarded when their plans came together on one of racing’s biggest stages.
Ryan felt the race did not unfold exactly as anticipated in the early stages, but he was able to gradually work his way into contention before producing his mount at the right moment. He also expressed the view that Daiquiri Bay could improve further when encountering softer ground later in the season.
That prospect will only encourage connections, with the gelding now emerging as one of the more progressive stayers in training. Whether his future lies in major Flat handicaps or eventually over obstacles, his latest performance suggested there may be bigger prizes still to come.
For King, whose affection for Royal Ascot stretches back decades, the success carried added significance. And for Daiquiri Bay, it was another compelling piece of evidence that his upward curve is far from complete.
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