Beckett hails 'phenomenal' Aykroyds as winning run for Yorkshire couple continues at Royal Ascot

Ralph Beckett was full of praise for the work behind the scenes of the success enjoyed by David and Vimy Aykroyd.

The Yorkshire-based owner-breeders have been locking horns with the juggernauts of the thoroughbred world with a handful of mares based with Brian O'Rourke at Copgrove Hall Stud and managed by Patrick Cooper.

Their pale blue and white quarters have won a Dante Stakes with Pride Of Arras, a disappointment when one of the favourites for this month's Betfred Derby.

Now they have another legitimate contender for the biggest middle-distance prizes in the shape of Amiloc, unrelated to Pride Of Arras, and a courageous winner of Friday's King Edward VII Stakes.

Amiloc has become the best son of Postponed, himself a King George and Coronation Cup winner now standing largely for the National Hunt market at Yorton Farm. The winner is a half-brother of Brimham Rocks, who very nearly landed the Group 1 Metropolitan at Randwick when transferred to Australia. 

Amiloc and Rossa Ryan (light blue) take the King Edward VII StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

"It's phenomenal – four mares," Beckett said. "I think it's underestimated that Patrick Cooper has managed it very well for his uncle, and I'd also say Brian O'Rourke again, and Copgrove again. And there's something in that. They arrive in very good shape, he's very, very good at it."

Beckett said that Vimy Aykroyd had turned down big money offers for Amiloc, who won the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on his previous run, and hopes to enjoy some major occasions with her gelding 

"Say he went to the King George, there's plenty of stuff after that," Beckett said.

"I can see him turning up in a Breeders' Cup Turf for example, that would really suit him. So we'll see. You can put him anywhere, he's very adaptable and that's his strongpoint."

Read next:

Magic wand waves for Fairyhouse as September bargains take the Royal Ascot limelight once more