Diamond sparkles for Irish training icon Mullins in the Ebor / Photo: Ben Stansall - AFP/File
Diamond sparkles for Irish training icon Mullins in the Ebor
Legendary Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins struck gold on the flat winning his second Ebor Handicap in the last three years on the final day of the York meeting on Saturday as Ethical Diamond eased to victory in an Irish 1-2-3.
Ethical Diamond won the most valuable handicap in Britain -- the winning owners picking up a cheque for £300,000 ($406,000) -- by holding off Ascending, trained by Mullins's great rival over jumps Henry de Bromhead, with Aidan O'Brien's Queenstown third.
It was Ireland's fourth victory in the last five runnings of the Ebor.
Although bookies installed Ethical Diamond as favourite for the Melbourne Cup, Mullins said he would not be running him, adding that he would send his 2023 Ebor winner Absurde.
"He (Ethical Diamond) won't be going to Australia, the protocols down there wouldn't suit him," said Mullins, who also had two winners at Royal Ascot in June.
"He has got a screw in a leg and I don't think they are allowed to run."
For winning jockey William Buick it rounded off a fabulous week: it was the Norway-born rider's sixth win and his first in the Ebor.
"He gave me a beautiful ride," said the 37-year-old.
"I have never won the Ebor before and it is the best ride I have had.
"It has been a great week for me. York is an example to all the other tracks round the country."
Earlier, Never So Brave lived up to his name and put up a gutsy performance under Oisin Murphy to win the City of York Stakes, its first running as a Group One race, to give trainer Andrew Balding a double on the day.
Lake Forest, running in the colours of Tony Bloom - owner of Premier League side Brighton - was second and French raider Maranoa Charlie third.
"He (Never so Brave) is a very brave horse," said Murphy.
"He was a bit out of his comfort zone but he put his head down and did the business.
"(I'm) Delighted to win the main race for the second successive day, and the first Group One for the Balding stable this season" added Murphy, who won the Nunthorpe Stakes on Australian sprinter Asfoora on Friday.
- 'Wonderful ride' -
Balding's wife Anna Lisa, who was standing in for him as he was at another race meeting, said the former Michael Stoute-trained horse had found his rhythm.
"Oisin gave him a wonderful ride," said Balding.
"Never So Brave has matured through the year and Andrew has done a pretty good job," she added laughing.
The even money favourite Rosallion finished a disappointing fourth.
Rosallion's trainer Richard Hannon did strike in the opener, however, with King of Cities landing the Group Three Strensall Stakes.
Jockey Sean Levey, though, had to repel Boiling Point, also owned by winning owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, who found a second wind having set the pace.
It was a welcome win after he had flattered to deceive in several races and also failed to deliver despite stable confidence in the French Derby in June.
"I have always thought a lot of him but he has been a bit wayward on occasion," said trainer Richard Hannon.
"He will be a proper horse next year. He has a big future but it is all about next year."
Tarriance may be back next year for the Ebor proper after qualifying for it by winning the Melrose Stakes in a thriller of a finish, just getting his nostrils in front of Many Men.
There was to be no joy for the onlooking Queen Camilla and trainer Willie Haggas on his 65th birthday, whose well-backed runner Golden Handshake finished well behind Tarriance.
Queen Camilla, the patron of the racecourse, took it on the chin and was all smiles when she made the trophy presentation for the City of York Stakes.
M.Stevenson--EWJ
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