Elliott eyes sprint prizes for Beckford as Group 2 winner returns from US

Beckford, who won the Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh in 2017, is rejoining Gordon Elliott following a stint in the US.

A son of Bated Breath, the four-year-old won the Railway Stakes on just his second start before twice finishing runner-up at Group 1 level in the Phoenix Stakes and the National Stakes. He also ran fifth in the Middle Park Stakes and the Breeders Cup Juvenile at Del Mar.

Owned by Newtown Anner Stud, Beckford remained in the US after the Breeders' Cup and in April, trained by Brendan Walsh, he won the 5f Williams Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Elliott said: "Beckford picked up an injury and didn't run again after his win. He has recovered and the owners told me they were bringing him back to Ireland and asked if I'd like to train him again.

"We're looking forward to having him back and training him for a sprint campaign."

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