Ebor hero Daiquiri Bay faces tall ask, says King
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Wed 14 Oct 2026
Alan King is looking for Daiquiri Bay to scale new heights after warning the Ebor winner will need to improve again to take on the best stayers around in Saturday’s Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot.
The four-year-old gelding has already taken his official rating up by a stone this season in winning three races at Newmarket, at Royal Ascot in the Copper Horse Stakes and on the Knavesmire in the Ebor.
And while King believes the step up from a mile and six furlongs to two miles could take him some of the way to bridging the gap, he conceded Daiquiri Bay still needs to find a “fair bit of improvement”.
“I hope he is still going the right way and the step up in trip might suit as well but we are obviously coming out of handicaps into a Group One so I am under no illusions,” said the Barbury Castle trainer.
“You only have to look at the handicap mark. We are 110 and there are 120-plus rated horses in it so we have to find a fair bit of improvement.”
Rossa Ryan has been on board for each of Daiquiri Bay’s three wins this season but will ride Amiloc for Ralph Beckett in the same race with William Buick coming in for the ride on King’s stayer.
“William and I have had a great strike-rate over the years so I am delighted to have him on board,” said the trainer.
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