The summer horse racing season is entering its last part, but the racegoers are still in for several thrilling events before the jump season fully takes over. One of the most anticipated horse racing fixtures in the calendar this August is the Ebor Festival. Held at the York Racecourse, the Ebor Festival was first established in 1843. Its inaugural race was the Ebor Handicap. Since then, the festival has expanded and is now conducted every year over the course of four days. This season the Ebor Festival will be held from 20 August to 23 August. The Festival will open with the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Stakes on Wednesday and close with the Sky Bet Steve Birch Finale Stakes on Saturday. The Sky Bet Ebor race that gave start to the entire Festival will also be held on the final day. The York Racecourse will host a total of 28 races over the course of four days, with 4 of them classified as Group 1. Ebor Festival 2025 will take place in the third week of August and last for four days. Each day will include seven races. Day one bears the name of Juddmonte International Day, day two is a dedicated Ladies’ Day, day three is called Nunthorpe Day, and the fourth and final day is referred to as Ebor Day because of its headline race. Day One: Juddmonte International Day Day Two: Ladies’ Day Day Three: Nunthorpe Day Day Four: Ebor Day The daily race cards for the Festival are as follows: Wednesday, 20 August Going: good (good to firm in places) Thursday, 21 August Going: good (good to firm in places) Friday, 22 August Going: good (good to firm in places) Saturday, 23 August Going: good (good to firm in places) The Ebor Festival includes 28 races evenly distributed over 4 days of the event. They offer a variety of conditions and runners to satisfy interests and preferences of all York Racecourse visitors. Juddmonte International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts both female and male horses aged three years or older and is run over the distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 56 yards (2,063 metres). The race first took place in 1972 and currently is held on the first day of the Ebor Festival. In its inaugural year, the crown of the International Stakes, back then called Benson and Hedges Gold Cup, was won by a three year old colt Roberto who also won the 1972 Derby. Held on the opening day of the Ebor Festival, the Juddmonte International Stakes is the richest race of the season held at the York Racecourse. Its 2024 edition was rated the best horse race in the world. Currently, 16 runners have been announced to take part in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. The jockeys are still to be announced. The current full list of contenders and their trainers runs as follows: Yorkshire Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts fillies and mares aged three years or older and is run over the distance of 1 mile 3 furlongs and 188 yards (2,385 metres). It is run on the Ladies’ Day of the Ebor Festival, i.e. the second day of the meeting. When the race was founded in 1849, it only accepted fillies aged three. In 1971, the modern system of race grading was introduced in Great Britain. Yorkshire Oaks was among the races that were classified as Group 1. It started accepting older fillies and mares in 1991. Currently, 13 runners have been announced to take part in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. The jockeys are still to be announced. The current full list of contenders and their trainers runs as follows: Nunthorpe Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged two years or older and is run over the distance of 5 furlongs (1,006 metres). It is run on the third day of the Ebor Festival. Established in 1903, the race was named after the Nunthorpe area in York. It took its current form in 1922 and has been a Group 1 race since 1984. An interesting detail about the Nunthorpe Stakes is that it is one of the few races where two year old horses are allowed to compete against older and more experienced horses. Currently, 29 runners have been announced to take part in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. The jockeys are still to be announced. The current full list of contenders and their trainers runs as follows: Ebor Handicap is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged four years or older and is run over the distance of 1 mile 5 furlongs and 188 yards (2,787 metres). It was this race that the entire festival originated from, nowadays it is run on the closing day. The name Ebor is short for Ebocarum, the name Romans gave to York. Currently this race is the most valuable handicap in Europe. Since 2019 it offers prize money of £1,000,000. This makes it the first British handicap race to be worth one million. Currently, 72 runners have been announced to take part in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. The jockeys are still to be announced. The current full list of contenders and their trainers runs as follows: All twenty eight races taking place at the Ebor Festival will be open for placing bets. Major bookmaking platforms with horse racing on their menu will definitely add this large scale event to their market. At 7bet, we offer a wide range of horse race betting markets both for domestic and international events. Please note that Ebor Festival odds will be available closer to the event date. Betting at the Ebor Festival includes various horse betting markets, with some of the most popular ones being: Always remember to gamble responsibly and treat betting as a form of entertainment and not means for financial gain.
Key Dates & Timings
Time
Race
Distance
Conditions
1:50 pm
THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB WORLD POOL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (CL 2)
5f 89y
3YO+ £120,000.00
2:25 pm
THE TATTERSALLS ACOMB STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1)
7f
2YO £165,000.00
3:00 pm
THE SKY BET GREAT VOLTIGEUR STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1)
1m 3f 188y
3YO £250,000.00
3:35 pm
THE JUDDMONTE INTERNATIONAL STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1)
1m 2f 56y
3YO+ £1,250,000.00
4:10 pm
THE SKY BET STAYERS HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2)
2m 56y
3YO+ £100,000.00
4:45 pm
THE IRE INCENTIVE, IT PAYS TO BUY IRISH FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (CL 2)
5f
3YO+ £100,000.00 Rating 0-105
5:20 pm
THE SKY BET NURSERY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2)
6f
2YO £100,000.00
Time
Race
Distance
Conditions
1:50 pm
THE SKY BET LOWTHER STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1)
6f
2YO £250,000.00
2:25 pm
HARRY’S HALF MILLION BY GOFFS (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2)
6f
2YO £508,150.00
3:00 pm
THE CLIPPER HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (CL 2)
7f 192y
3YO+ £150,000.00
3:35 pm
THE PERTEMPS NETWORK YORKSHIRE OAKS (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1)
1m 3f 188y
3YO+ £600,000.00
4:10 pm
THE BRITISH EBF & SIR HENRY CECIL GALTRES STAKES (CLASS 1) (Listed Race) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 1)
1m 3f 188y
3YO+ £100,000.00
4:45 pm
THE MEWS HOTEL OSSETT EBF STALLIONS NURSERY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2)
7f
2YO £100,000.00
5:20 pm
THE BRITISH EBF FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (CL 2)
7f
3YO+ £100,000.00
Time
Race
Distance
Conditions
1:50 pm
THE SKY BET HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2)
1m 3f 188y
3YO+ £120,000.00
2:25 pm
THE WEATHERBYS LONSDALE CUP STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1)
2m 56y
3YO+ £250,000.00
3:00 pm
THE AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI GIMCRACK STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (In honour of Tom Lacy) (CL 1)
6f
2YO £250,000.00
3:35 pm
THE COOLMORE WOOTTON BASSETT NUNTHORPE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1)
5f
2YO+ £600,000.00
4:10 pm
THE ASSURED DATA PROTECTION EBF FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2)
1m 2f 56y
3YO+ £100,000.00 Rating 0-105
4:45 pm
THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF CONVIVIAL MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) (CL 2)
7f
2YO £100,000.00
5:20 pm
THE SKY BET MILE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (CL 2)
7f 192y
3YO £100,000.00 Rating 0-105
Time
Race
Distance
Conditions
1:50 pm
THE SKY BET STRENSALL STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) (CL 1)
1m 177y
3YO+ £170,000.00
2:25 pm
THE SKY BET MELROSE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2)
1m 5f 188y
3YO £170,000.00
3:00 pm
THE SKY BET CITY OF YORK STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1)
7f
3YO+ £600,000.00
3:35 pm
THE SKY BET EBOR HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2)
1m 5f 188y
4YO+ £500,000.00
4:10 pm
THE SKY BET CONSTANTINE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (CL 2)
6f
3YO+ £120,000.00
4:45 pm
THE JULIA GRAVES ROSES STAKES (CLASS 1) (Listed Race) (CL 1)
5f
2YO £100,000.00
5:20 pm
THE SKY BET STEVE BIRCH FINALE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 2)
1m 2f 56y
3YO+ £100,000.00 Rating 0-105
Headline Races at Ebor Festival
Juddmonte International Stakes (Wednesday, 20 August)
Yorkshire Oaks (Thursday, 21 August)
Nunthorpe Stakes (Friday, 22 August)
Ebor Handicap (Saturday, 23 August)
Betting at Ebor Festival
How to Buy Tickets
The official website of the Ebor Festival offers tickets for three venues: County Stand, Grandstand & Paddock, and Clocktower Enclosure. You can buy admission for the entire event or for separate days, depending on how you plan your visit.
Clocktower Enclosure is the most affordable one, with price being £15 for a single day and £40 for the entire meeting. It offers a nice, relaxed atmosphere with great views of the finish. Food courts and bars are available, but visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets.
Ranging from £45 for a single day to £118 for the whole event, the Grandstand and Paddock is the largest enclosure on the York Racecourse. It offers trackside viewing, as well as Parade Ring, Pre-Parade Ring, and Main Betting Ring viewing. There is a number of catering options on the grounds.
County Stand comes as a premium experience that will cost £80 per day or £239 for the entire festival. It comes with its own viewing lawns from where you can see the winning post. Same as the Grandstand and Paddock, a ticket to County Stand gives you access to Parade Ring, Pre-Parade Ring, and Main Betting Ring viewing. You will also have numerous fine dining options at your service.
Gentlemen are advised to follow a dress code and wear a jacket, a collared shirt, and a tie when attending the County Stand. On Thursday, ladies holding any ticket are encouraged to wear their best to celebrate Ladies’ Day.
You can also upgrade your experience by purchasing a hospitality package. Offers differ depending on the date, so make sure you check the website.
Travel and Transport Guide
The Ebor Festival is conducted at the York Racecourse located at the following address: Racecourse Road, Knavesmire Road, York YO23 1EX. You can reach your destination by various means of transportation from different directions.
If you are traveling from London, take a train at the King Cross station. The journey will take about 1 hour 52 minutes. There are also direct trains running from Edinburgh, Manchester, and Birmingham. When you arrive at the York Station, you can take a taxi, a shuttle bus, or walk to the racecourse which is just over a mile away.
Shuttle buses operate from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm running to the racecourse, and from 4:00 pm onwards going back to the railway station.
A64 to the south of the racecourse is your recommended route, whichever direction you happen to be coming from. On race days, you will see yellow directional signs that will guide you as some of the usual routes might not be accessible. York Racecourse offers free parking.
Ebor Handicap Past Winners
The Ebor Festival remembers many outstanding victories and names. The horses who won the Ebor Handicap race in the past 24 years since 2000 were the following:
| Year | Winner | Age | Jockey | Trainer |
| 2000 | Give the Slip | 3 | Pat Eddery | Amanda Perrett |
| 2001 | Mediterranean | 3 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O’Brien |
| 2002 | Hugs Dancer | 5 | Dean McKeown | James Given |
| 2003 | Saint Alebe | 4 | Richard Quinn | David Elsworth |
| 2004 | Mephisto | 5 | Darryll Holland | Luca Cumani |
| 2005 | Sergeant Cecil | 6 | Alan Munro | Rod Millman |
| 2006 | Mudawin | 5 | John Egan | Jane Chapple-Hyam |
| 2007 | Purple Moon | 4 | Jamie Spencer | Luca Cumani |
| 2008 | All the Good | 5 | Dane O’Neill | Saeed bin Suroor |
| 2009 | Sesenta | 5 | Gary Carroll | Willie Mullins |
| 2010 | Dirar | 5 | Jamie Spencer | Gordon Elliott |
| 2011 | Moyenne Corniche | 6 | Dale Swift | Brian Ellison |
| 2012 | Willing Foe | 5 | Frankie Dettori | Saeed bin Suroor |
| 2013 | Tiger Cliff | 4 | Tom Queally | Lady Cecil |
| 2014 | Mutual Regard | 5 | Louis Steward | Johnny Murtagh |
| 2015 | Litigant | 7 | Oisin Murphy | Joseph Tuite |
| 2016 | Heartbreak City | 6 | Adam McNamara | Tony Martin |
| 2017 | Nakeeta | 6 | Callum Rodriguez | Iain Jardine |
| 2018 | Muntahaa | 5 | Jim Crowley | John Gosden |
| 2019 | Mustajeer | 6 | Colin Keane | Ger Lyons |
| 2020 | Fujaira Prince | 6 | Andrea Atzeni | Roger Varian |
| 2021 | Sonnyboyliston | 4 | Ben Coen | Johnny Murtagh |
| 2022 | Trawlerman | 4 | Frankie Dettori | John & Thady Gosden |
| 2023 | Absurde | 5 | Frankie Dettori | Willie Mullins |
| 2024 | Magical Zoe | 6 | Billy Lee | Henry De Bromhead |
The six year old mare Magical Zoe fully justified her name when she took the Ebor Handicap race by storm. Earlier that season she came fourth in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Kihavah and Oneforthegutter took second and third place respectively, while Epic Poet was the fourth to reach the finish line.
Ebor Handicap Records
From 1843 till today, Ebor Handicap records hold the names of its winners with pride. Some of them were able to achieve multiple victories over the years.
- Leading horse: Flint Jack with 2 wins (1922, 1923)
- Leading jockey: Lester Piggott with 5 wins (1958, 1959, 1961, 1970, 1983)
- Leading trainer: Tom Dawson with 5 wins (1844, 1850, 1860, 1862, 1867)
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