The York Ebor Festival is a 4-day horse racing event held at York Racecourse in York, England. The event takes place in the mid of August. Ebor Festival is a four-day horse race starting on Wednesday and ending on a Saturday.
York Ebor Festival History
The York Ebor Festival is rich in its history as it started in the year 1843 and is running to this day. The Festival’s name is from the Roman word Eboracum, which means York, tracing it back to the Roman and Viking eras.
The Festival was made a National Hunt Racing Festival in 2004 and attracted some of the world’s best horses, trainers, and riders.
The Ebor Festival is well known for its four Group 1 races: the Juddmonte International Stakes, the Yorkshire Oaks, the Nunthorpe Stakes, and the Doncaster Cup. The highlight of the Festival is, without doubt, the Juddmonte International Stakes, a Group 1 flat race run over 12 furlongs and is open to horses aged three years or older.
In recent years, Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien has had a stranglehold on this race, with six wins in total, including three in a row from 2013-2015. Other notable trainers with wins at this race include Henry Cecil, Jeremy Noseda, and John Gosden.
The Doncaster Cup is a Group 1 flat handicap horse race run over 2 miles 4 furlongs. This remarkable race running since 1849, was once dominated by French horses during the 19th century because English Flat Racing was in its infancy stages. In recent years it has been won by some of Australia’s best gallopers such as So You Think (2009) and Alcopop (2015), both trained by Australian trainer Chris Waller who was also responsible for bringing Black Caviar to Europe in 2012, where she finished second only to the great stayer Order of St George.
This year’s Ebor Festival looks set to be another great one, with some top-quality horses, trainers, and riders competing for the coveted prizes on offer. Be sure to tune in from Wednesday 16 August to Saturday 19 August to catch all the action!
The Festival has the following events taking place from 18th – 21st August;
lJuddmonte International Stakes ( Wednesday)
l Great Voltigeur Stakes (Wednesday)
lAcomb Stakes (Wednesday)
lLowther Stakes (Thursday)
l Yorkshire Oaks (Thursday)
lNunthorpe Stakes (Friday)
l Gimcrack Stakes (Friday)
lStrensall Stakes (Friday)
l Ebor Handicap (Saturday)
l Lonsdale Cup (Saturday)
Juddmonte International Stakes
is an English Group 1 flat horse race at the York Racecourse, York, England. The race is open to three-year-olds thoroughbreds, and the winning purse is 1 million dollars. The race was inaugurated in 1973 and is held over 10.25 furlongs on a turf surface.
The successful racehorses include Dahlia, Ezzoud, and Halling. All three of these horses hold the record of most wins as a single horse. With Dahlia winning it from 1974-1975.Ezzoud won it back to back from 1993-1994. A year later, Halling managed to win the International Stakes for the first time. And in 1996, Halling won it again, holding the record of most wins(2) by a single horse with Dahlia and Ezzoud.
The most recent and leading Jockey with the most wins is Frankie Dettori. He won the prestigious event remarkably five times. And the leading trainers are Sir Michael Stoute and Michael Tabor. Both of them have won this event remarkably six times.
Winners from the last five years include;
l In 2017, a horse named Ulysses won the International Stakes with Jim Crowley as its Jockey. Sir Michael Stoute trained the horse in a time of 2:12.11.
l A year later, in 2018, Roaring Lion won in a period of 2:07.70. The winning Jockey was Oisin Murphy. John Gosden trained the horse.
l In 2019, Japan stood victorious. O’Brien Maginer trained the horse, and the winning Jockey was Ryan Moore.
l In 2020, Ghaiyaath won it with William as the Jockey. Charlie trained the winning horse.
l Last year’s International Stakes was won by Mishriff. The winning Jockey was David Egan. John and Godsend trained the winning horse. Mishriff won it in a period of 2:05.92.
Strensall Stakes
is a Group 3 flat horse race at York Racecourse, York, England. The race is open to three or older horses, and the winning purse is £120,000. The race distance is 7 furlongs on turf and was first run in 2009. Winners from the last five years include;
l In 2017, Pallasator won it with Ryan Moore as its Jockey. Andrew Balding-trained the horse at a time of 1:25.14.
l In 2018, Settle For Bay won it with jockey Luke Morris. William Haggas trained the horse at a time of 1:24.36.
l Last year’s Strensall Stakes was won by New Providence. The winning Jockey was Oisin Murphy. Hugo Palmer trained the horse at a time of 1:26.26.
Strensall Stakes is an important Group 3 flat horse race run over 7 furlongs in York Racecourse in York, England, during the Ebor Festival meeting that includes racing thoroughbreds aged three years or older. This event has been running since 2009, and it’s one of 4 races in the same group over this distance at this particular Festival, which also includes Acomb Stakes (Wednesday), Lowther Stakes (Thursday), and Juddmonte International Stakes (International Day).
With its inaugural year in 2009, when Snow Fairy won it with Tom Queally as the winning Jockey, this event is contested by horses aged three years or older. The race is set at a distance of 7 furlongs on turf and offers a winning purse of £120,000.
New Providence was the 2019 winner ridden by Oisin Murphy and trained by Hugo Palmer, while Pallasator won it in 2017 with Ryan Moore aboard for trainer Andrew Balding. The other notable winners include Take Cover (2018), Settle For Bay (2017), and Halling (1996).
Great Voltigeur Stakes
is a Group 2 flat horse race annually in August at York Racecourse, England. The Great Voltigeur Stakes was first to run in 1957 and won by the Lester Piggott rode colt Crepello.
Only two horses have won this event more than once: Crepello with his three wins and Reference Point with his two wins (1987 and 1988). In 2010 it returned to being awarded a Group 3 Flat Race for three-year-olds. There’s also an upgraded version of this race now known as the “York Stakes,” for three-year-olds only. The winner of that race receives entry into next year’s Great Voltigeur Stakes.
The race is run over a distance of 1 mile, 3 furlongs, and 197 yards (2,521 meters), and it is open to horses aged three years or older. It is currently staged on the second day of the Ebor Festival, York Racecourse.
Some recent winners include:
l In 2017, Kew Gardens won the race with Ryan Moore as its Jockey. Sir Michael Stoute trained the horse.
l In 2018, Stradivarius won the race ridden by John Gosden. Aidan O’Brien trained the horse.
l In 2019, Yucatan won the race ridden by James Doyle. Aidan O’Brien trained the horse.
l In 2020, Crystal Ocean won the race ridden by Frankie Dettori. Sir Michael Stoute trained the horse.
Acomb Stakes
is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain that is open to two-year-olds. It is run at York over a distance of 5 furlongs and 74 yards (1,012 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in early August.
The race was first to run in 1985, and it is currently open to horses of either gender. The winning purse is £50,000.
It has been won by several fairly high-profile horses over the years, including:
l In 1992, a horse called Celtic Swing won the race ridden by Tony Quinn.
l In 1995, a horse called What’s Up Boys won the race ridden by Frankie Dettori.
l In 2006, a horse called Dual winner won the race ridden by Robert Winston.
l In 2009, a horse called Kingsgate Native won the race ridden by Luke Morris.
l In 2012, a horse called Sofast won the race ridden by Jamie Spencer.
The event was established in 1970, and it was originally open to horses of either sex. The current gender restriction was introduced in 1974. It has been won by several successful horses over the years, including Milligram (1971), Shirley Heights (1978), Rainbow Quest (1985), and Most Welcome (1991).
The race is currently run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (1,811 meters), and it is open to horses aged two years or older. It is currently staged on the fourth day of the Ebor Festival, York Racecourse.
Some recent winners include:
l In 2017, a horse called Bramble Brook won the race ridden by Joe Doyle. Andrew Balding-trained the horse.
l In 2018, a horse called Dashing Willoughby won the race ridden by Wayne Lordan. Aidan O’Brien trained the horse.
l In 2019, a horse called Persian King won the race ridden by Ryan Moore. Sir Michael Stoute trained the horse.
l In 2020, a horse called Make Believe won the race ridden by Jamie Spencer. Aidan O’Brien trained the horse.
l In 2021, a horse called Tenebreux won the race ridden by David Egan. John Gosden trained the horse.
The Lowther Stakes
is a Group 3 flat horserace in Great Britain open to two-year-old fillies. It is run at York over a distance of 7 furlongs and 94 yards (1,413 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August during the Ebor Festival meeting on the second day.
Candidates have been born before 1 January 2021. It is a restricted race, meaning that only fillies owned by members of the Yorkshire-based Jockey Club can take part. The event was first to run in 1966, and it has been won by several fairly high-profile horses over the years, including:
l In 1985, a horse called Anapurna won the race ridden by Lester Piggott.
l In 1992, a horse called Easter Lily won the race ridden by Willie Carson.
l In 1994, a horse called Ouija Board won the race ridden by Kieren Fallon.
l In 2009, a horse called Misty For Me won the race ridden by Richard Hughes.
l In 2012, a horse called Celestial Halo won the race ridden by Jamie Spencer.
l In 2016, a horse called Silk Sari won the race ridden by William Buick.
l In 2019, a horse called Magic Wand won the race ridden by Ryan Moore. George Baker trained the horse.
The Lowther Stakes is currently run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August during the Ebor Festival meeting on the second day. Lowther Stakes Fillies’ Conditions Race has also been staged at York since 2006 for horses who have not previously run under Pattern-race conditions. It is now restricted fillies whose sire was not represented in the Lowther Stakes. Winners have included:
l In 2006, a horse called Vital Beauty won the race ridden by David Allan. Luca Cumani trained the horse.
l In 2009, a horse called Soapy Stephanie won the race ridden by Hayley Turner. Luca Cumani trained the horse.
l In 2010, a horse called Satwa Queen won the race ridden by Frankie Dettori. Saeed Bin Suroor trained the horse.
l In 2019, a horse called Bint Shams won the race ridden by Adam Kirby. John Gosden trained the horse.
The Lowther Stakes Fillies’ Conditions Race is currently run over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (1,811 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August during the Ebor Festival meeting on the second day.
The Nunthorpe Stakes
is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 5 furlongs and 110 yards (1,006 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late summer during the Ebor Festival meeting.
The event was first to run in 1969, and it has been won by several fairly high-profile horses over the years, including:
l In 1983, a horse called Pebbles won the race ridden by Geoff Lewis.
l In 1984, a horse called Reference Point won the race ridden by Lester Piggott.
l In 1985, a horse called Celtic Swing won the race ridden by Pat Eddery.
l In 1986, a horse called Assert won the race ridden by Walter Swinburn.
l In 1990, a horse called Mr. Dinos won the race ridden by John Reid.
l In 1993, a horse called Bosra Sham won the race ridden by Willie Carson.
l In 1995, a horse called Military Plume won the race ridden by Kieren Fallon.
l In 1998, a horse called Mutafaweq won the race ridden by Frankie Dettori.
l In 2006, a horse called Somnus won the race ridden by Jamie Spencer.
l In 2009, a horse called Reverence won the race ridden by Ryan Moore.
l In 2013, a horse called Sole Power won the race ridden by Jimmy Fortune.
l In 2018, a horse called Meridian Storm won the race ridden by Silvestre De Sousa. David Simcocktrained the horse.
The Nunthorpe Stakes is currently run over a distance of 5 furlongs and 6 yards (1,209 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August during the Ebor Festival meeting on the second day.
The Sky Bet York Stakes
is Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 5 furlongs and 88 yards (1,140 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August during the Ebor Festival meeting.
The event was established in 1994, and it has held Group 3 status throughout its history. The race was promoted to Group 2 level from 2014 to 2017, and it returned to Group 3 in 2018. It usually features horses that ran previously in either the Cork and Orrery Stakes or the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The Sky, Bet York Stakes, is currently run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 meters and it is scheduled to take place each year in August during the Ebor Festival meeting. The race was run over 8 furlongs and 56 yards until 2012 when it was extended by 2 yards and given Group 3 status.
The Yorkshire Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 115 yards (2,413 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August during the Ebor Festival meeting.
The event was established in 2001, and it replaced the former Scarborough Stakes, which used to be contested at Doncaster Racecourse. It initially held Listed status before being promoted to Group 3 in 2003 and Group 2 in 2006. The race was promoted to its current Group 1 level in 2009.
The Yorkshire Oaks is currently run over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and 115 yards (2,413 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in August during the Ebor Festival meeting.
The Qatar GoodwoodCup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in early August as part of the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting.
The event was established in 1818, and it was originally called The Cup. It was the first race to bear this name, with a similar one being devised for a flat race at Newmarket Racecourse three years earlier. For a period, it held Listed status, and it was promoted to Group 3 level in 1991. It became known as the Glorious Goodwood Stakes in 1994, and it reverted to its original name of The Cup six years later.
The Qatar Goodwood Cup is currently run over a distance of 2 miles, 4 furlongs, and 73 yards (4,023 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in early August during the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting. In 2018, a horse called Clondaw Warrior won the race ridden by Richard Hughes. Gordon Elliot trained the horse.
The Saguaro Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles (3,219 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May or early June during the Royal Ascot meeting.
The event was established in 1970, and it was originally called the Henry II Stakes. It was named after Henry FitzRoy, 10th Duke of Grafton, who had made his debut in racing as an owner when one of his horses finished second in the 1966 1,000 Guineas. He won the race in 1971 with a horse called Grundy. The race was originally contested over 1 mile, 2 furlongs, and 110 yards (2,012 meters), and it was given Group 3 status in 1998. It was promoted to Group 2 level in 2006.
The Saguaro Stakes is currently run over a distance of 2 miles (3,219 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May or early June during the Royal Ascot meeting. The Temple Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to horses aged two years. It is run at Haydock Park over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May or early June during the three-day Betfred Mobile Lotto Event meeting.
The event was established in 2003, and it originally held European qualification status. It was elevated to Group 3 level in 2006, and its current Group 2 status in 2008. The race is currently sponsored by Betfred and runs as the Betfred Mobile Lotto Event Temple Stakes. The Temple Stakes is currently run over a distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 meters), and it is scheduled to take place each year in late May or early June during the three-day Betfred Mobile Lotto Event meeting.
Gimcrack Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. The race takes place at York Racecourse, York, England, and is run over a distance of 6 furlongs on a straight turf track.
The winners from the past five years include;
l In 2017, Hawkeyethenoo won it with Patrick Cosgrave as its Jockey. John Gosden trained the winning horse in a time of 1:10.28.
l In 2018, Take Cover won the Gimcrack Stakes with Joseph O’Brien as its Jockey. Aidan O’Brien trained the winner at a time of 1:13.76.
l Last year’s Gimcrack Stakes was won by GustavusVassa. The winning Jockey was Rowan Scott. Hugo Palmer trained the horse at a time of 1:11.60.
Ebor Handicap is a Group 3 flat horse race open to horses aged four years or older. The race takes place at York Racecourse, York, England. The race distance is 1 mile 2 furlongs on turf, and it has been running since 1965. There are 16 group races in total at this event, including the following;
Winners from the last five years include;
l In 2017, Strath Burn won it with Richard Hughes as its Jockey at a time of 1:36.13.
l Last year’s Ebor Handicap was won by Roc D’Apsis, who had David Probert as his Jockey riding for trainer Richard Fahey in a period of 1:37.10.
l Ebor Handicap is part of the Ebor Festival in York Racecourse in York, England. The race is open to horses aged four years or older. It’s contested over a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs on turf and offers a purse of £120,000. This event has been running since 1965 when its inaugural winner was Never Say Die, who had Lester Piggott at its disposal for trainer Dick Hern.
Lonsdale Cup is a Group 2 flat horse race open to horses aged four years or older. The race takes place at York Racecourse, York, England. The race distance is 1 mile 4 furlongs, and it has been running since 1843 with few exceptions. Winners from the last five years include;
In 2017, Strath Burn won it on Alex Edwards as its Jockey at a time of 1:34.63 while InglisDrever became victorious in 2013 with Aidan Coleman attached for trainer Graham Motion at a time of 1:37.73.
Last year’s Lonsdale Cup was won by Scottish who had Ryan Moore riding for trainer Sir Mark Prescott in a period of 1:36.44 while Strath Burn was the 2017 winner with Alex Edwards as its Jockey. The race distance is 1 mile 4 furlongs on turf, and it offers a purse of £175,000. This event has been running since 1843 with few exceptions while being a part of the Ebor Festival in York Racecourse in York, England. The race is open to four or older horses and is a Group 2 flat horse race.
The Lonsdale Cup is one of the most prestigious races at the Ebor meeting in York Racecourse in York, England. It’s open to horses aged four years or older and contested over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs on turf. The winning purse is £175,000 and was first run in 1843. The race is a part of the Ebor Festival, consisting of 16 group races. The last five years have seen Strath Burn (2017), InglisDrever (2013), Scottish (2018), and Roc D’Apsis (2019) as the winners of this prestigious event.
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