The Ebor Festival at York is one of the leading horse racing meetings in the UK. The four-day event is on the Flat and it includes prestigious races such as the Juddmonte International, Ebor Handicap and Nunthorpe Stakes.
Here is a preview of this year’s meeting and some of the big races to look out for.
City Of Troy to Take on the Older Horses
City Of Troy has been the star three-year-old on the Flat this season, with wins coming in the Derby at Epsom and the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. His next appearance is set to come in the Juddmonte International where he is the 5/4 favourite in the racing odds from Paddy Power.
Aidan O’Brien’s runner is likely to be one of the leading horse racing tips for the Group One contest on day one of the Ebor Festival. He proved his class against the older generation in the Eclipse Stakes on his latest outing.
The Derby winner is set to take on 2024 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner White Birch and Huxley Stakes winner Passenger in the 1m2f contest. Those two horses are two of the leading middle distances horses in the division, so it will be a good test for the star three-year-old colt.
Australian Sprinter Set to Remain in the UK
Asfoora was one of the stars of the week at Royal Ascot this year. The Australia sprinter won the King Charles III Stakes in impressive style, as documented in the ITV report. Her connections have opted to keep their horse in the UK this summer to target some of the other leading sprint races.
There were many doubters, but he came anyway!
Proud of @henrydwyer and what he has achieved and @NEF_stud for taking on the world!
Won’t forget this day for a long time to come @Ascot #Asfoora pic.twitter.com/7QRX78m4Ph
— Alastair Dwyer (@adwyer7) June 19, 2024
Henry Dwyer’s runner will feature in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York where she will be bidding to showcase her speed once again over the minimum distance of 5f. No Australian-trained horse has won the Nunthorpe Stakes before, so the mare would make history should she prevail.
In what could be one of the strongest renewals in recent years, former Breeders’ Cup winner Big Evs also has an entry in the sprint race. He recently returned to form with a victory in the Westow Stakes.
Arabian Crown to Put St Leger Credentials on The Line
The Great Voltigeur Stakes is one of the leading trials for the St Leger at Doncaster. Arabian Crown’s connections will be hoping their horse enhances his reputation ahead of the final British Classic of the season when he lines up in the Group Two contest.
The Godolphin runner has been linked with the Great Voltigeur Stakes and St Leger ever since he prevailed in the Classic Trial at Sandown back in April. He is bred to appreciate a stiffer stamina test, and he should get that at York.
This year’s Great Voltigeur Stakes is also likely to include Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly. The consistent colt from James Fanshaw’s stable was a close third in the Irish Derby at the Curragh on his most recent appearance. He will be bidding for his second success of the season, as he won the Lingfield Derby Trial earlier in the campaign.
The 2024 Ebor Festival takes place between 21-24 August. All four days are live on ITV1.