It has been a quietish couple of weeks for horse racing since the Glorious Goodwood Festival. Of course with the Olympics in Beijing and the start of the new football season here there has been plenty of other sport to enjoy. Two visits have already been made to Portman Road Ipswich to see our beloved football team. However tomorrow sees the start of the York Ebor Festival. The going is forecast to be heavy which will put a big premium on stamina in the distance races.
The feature race tomorrow is the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes worth £550,000.00 to be run over ten furlongs for three year olds plus. New Approach (pictured) is the likely winner of this. If Duke of Marmalade takes his chance we could have a race to savour. He has shown his best form on good ground though and has to give 8lbs to the year younger New Approach who has not run since winning the Derby.
On Wednesday the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup worth £140,000.00 run over two miles looks tailor made for Septimus. Also on Wednesday we have the big betting race of the week, The Ebor, a handicap worth £210,000.00 run over one mile six furlongs for three year olds plus. In my blog a year ago I listed past winners of the Ebor that I could remember, highlighting the three year olds that have won this race. It takes a really good three year old to win and Honolulu very nearly did it last year. This years race looks to be between the older horses, especially those that will need to stay at least two miles because of the testing conditions. Ajaan from the Henry Cecil stable might be the one.
On Thursday the feature race will be the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks worth £90,000.00 run over one and a half miles for three year old plus fillies and mares. Lush Lashes will be looking to atone her unlucky run at Goodwood.
On Friday the feature race will be the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes worth £240,000.00, a sprint run over five furlongs for two year olds plus. Captain Gerrard has been very well supported for this, Kingsgate Native will be defending his crown and Sakhee’s Secret might put in an appearance.
The Festival has been extended to four days for the first time. Lets hope the weather is kind and all the top horses turn up. For all the runners and riders and jockeys’ colours click on the sporting life. Be lucky.