Brendan McDonald, part-owner of Amadeus Wolf, paid a glowing tribute to Kevin Ryan, trainer of the Scottish Equitable Gimcrack Stakes hero, during his winner's speech at York.

He told guests that ''if someone had suggested at the start of the year a Northern-based trainer would have two individual Group One winners in their yard, the only name that would have seemed credible is Mark Johnston.

''Amadeus Wolf has been brought along brilliantly by Kevin, who is clearly a trainer going places.

''The same applies to Neil Callan, who is on the heels of the likely champion jockey contenders for next year, and who hasn't put a foot wrong on the horse.

''Amadeus Wolf gave us some tremendous days this year. First here at York, both when he ran so well in the Coventry and of course when he won the Gimcrack.

''Then subsequently he lifted the Middle Park at Newmarket. It would be nice to think he might be the best Gimcrack winner since Rock of Gibraltar.

''Unfortunately his sire, the ill-fated Mozart, who was a Coolmore stallion, only produced one crop."