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Alan King: No Melbourne Cup bid this year for Daiquiri Bay
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 23 Aug 2026
The Barbury Castle handler has ruled out a trip to Australia this season for the Ebor Handicap winner who he believes could make up into a genuine 'Cup Horse' next season.
King trained Trueshan to win 16 races, including three Group One staying events, and told host Nick Luck on Luck On Sunday that Daiquiri Bay could be on the same path: "I don't think he will be going to Melbourne this year. His owners aren't keen and it's not all it's cracked up to be, maybe in a years' time.
"If he keeps progressing, he might make up into a 'Cup Horse'. He is in the Group One at Ascot which would be a very strong target, but 'Cup' races next year would be far more exciting for me than going all the way round the world - I'm not a great traveller!
"Two miles will suit, I'm not sure about further, but he switches off better this year. Once he is in mid division he relaxes and gives himself a chance to win races.
"He's got a bit to do yet [to match the likes of Trueshan] but Trueshan was very ground dependent. I wouldn't want to keep running him on fast ground but he broke the track record at Ascot on it and he gives us lots of options."
Watch: Daiquiri Bay wins a thriller!
King had previously had placed horses in Saturday's big race at York, but had never won it, and enjoyed the feeling of landing a race that has a long and illustrious history, and paid compliment to winning rider Rossa Ryan.
"We had a few beers. The horse got home about 10:30pm and ate his dinner in about 10 mins - he's turned out well today.
"The Ebor is one of the great races and we've always run a few in it. It was special. We haven't got the firepower we had a few years ago.
"Rossa's family have become great friends of ours, and he's in three or four times a month to work. He comes to the sales, too.
"After Ascot he said "give him a break and then the Ebor" and it's great it's worked out for him and that he got off the ban."
Daiquiri Bay's journey with King began when he was picked up by Highflyer Bloodstock at the Tattersalls Breeze-up Sales in May 2024, a route that the trainer has enjoyed plenty of success with in the past.
He explained: "We try to work backwards - we look at the times, and look for good individuals. It's worked very well over the years, we got Tritonic and Salsalino that way. It's a system that has worked and one we will stick to.
"George Scott came up to say well done [after the Ebor] – he was the underbidder."
Describing his yard as "60/40 jumps and Flat", King revealed that Daiquiri Bay is unlikely to go jumping - "I always thought if they're good enough they don't have to" - but is hopeful that some others from the yard will fill the large footprints left by the recently-retired Edwardstone.
"I've got a lot of decent bumper horses from last year," he said. "We need to find another Edwardstone but we have some lovely homebreds, hopefully one of those can come through and make the grade.
"We don't buy many jumpers but the owner-breeders are keeping it going."
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