Race One: The Sky Bet Lowther Stakes - 2-Year-Old Fillies Only - Group Two - Six furlongs - Runners: 8

Winner: RELIEF RALLY (Kodiac x Kathoe) (#7) - T. Marquand - W. Haggas

Ladies Day at the Ebor Festival kicked off with an important contest for the next generation of female equine stars with the Group Two Lowther Stakes over six furlongs. Usually a race that is suited for a sharp and precocious two-year-old, there have been plenty of runners who have gone on to land big events in the future. Last year, Mawj could only manage third at York, but improved to win this year's 1,000 Guineas as a three-year-old. 2022's renewal was won by Showalong who caused a 40-1 shock, but turned out to be very smart with a Group One placed finish and Group Three win this year. Among the list of previous winners, the likes of Tiggy Wiggy, Nahoodh, Flashy Wings, Russian Rhythm, Queen's Logic and Harayir all became Group One winners subsequently.
The class of 2023 looked to be another strong lineup. The powerhouse stable of Aidan O'Brien has enjoyed yet another fantastic year with his juveniles and sent over a strong challenger once again. Cherry Blossom broke her maiden only a few weeks previously, but did so by a wide margin and was expected for big things. The William Haggas-trained Relief Rally represented the home team and after defeat by the smallest margin in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot, she won the Super Sprint at Newbury in effortless style. Last year's winning trainer Karl Burke saddled Beautiful Diamond, who finished on the heels of Relief Rally at Ascot and stepped up in distance here. The Middleham yard doubled up with the useful listed race placed Dorothy Lawrence.  Flora Of Bermuda had shown high class form for a maiden including a fourth in the Albany Stakes before impressing many judges with the ease of her first career win at Goodwood last time.  Godolphin relied on the promising Star Of Mystery here, hoping she could turn around a surprise defeat at short odds last time out. In a high quality renewal of the Lowther, it was impossible to rule out the novice winner Symbology, who made a bright start to racing life on this course in July. 

The race lived up to expectations with a thrilling finish where the lead changed hands numerous times in the closing stages. From the outset, Cherry Blossom made the best start and took the field along after two furlongs. The outsider of the field Dorothy Lawrence overtook the O'Brien runner and did the donkey work for the rest. Entering the final two furlongs, the field were spread across the track and well fancied favourite Relief Rally was getting pushed along to keep her place, much to the worry of the crowd. The diminutive filly responded well and rallied to storm up the rail. The William Haggas speedster crossed the line well on top and could have won by more than the official one length margin. In behind, the supporting cast finished in a heap with two and a half lengths covering the first six finishers. Cherry Blossom kept finding and held on for second while the grey Symbology ran another excellent race into third. 
The winner has impressed many with her attitude and will to win. Winning two small events at the start of the season, she was beaten a nose by an American filly where she flashed home in eyecatching fashion. On her most recent start, she barely broke sweat in the Super Sprint at Newbury and success here emulated Tiggy Wiggy from 2014, who went on to win at the highest level. It is a path that Relief Rally could easily follow.

Race Two: The Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes - 2-Y-O only - Class Two - Six furlongs - Runners: 22

Winner: DRAGON LEADER (El Kabeir x Sweet Dragon Fly) (#9) - R. Moore - C. Cox

A very important and valuable prize for breeders and owners alike as this exclusive conditions race rewards both sets of connections. The race is limited to two-year-olds who passed through the sales ring at last year's Goffs Premier Yearling Sales at Doncaster. Interest in each lot is always high and the bidding war is hotly contested. Twelve months later, the then yearlings are now able to contest in this near £125,000 contest which has seen some star names of the future win in previous seasons. Group One winners Tasleet and Happy Romance are amongst the former winners as well as super sire Dark Angel, who made a big impact on the track and at stud until his premature death. 
Last year, Shouldvebeenaring added this race to his glowing CV as a juvenile and would go on to finish placed at Group level this season. His winning owners Middleham Park Racing were keen to win the prize again and ran the impressive debut winner Ziggy's Condor for trainer Richard Fahey as well as Karl Burke's That's For Sure. The unbeaten Dragon Leader had looked very promising with two wins at Salisbury and hailed from the leading Clive Cox stable. The Richard Hannon stable loves this race and had won five of the eight previous renewals including last year's. Persica ran twice in quick succession last week and was impressive when winning last time out. In the same colours, Gaiden showed smart early season form. Those held every chance in a hotly contested race with a full field of twenty two young sprinters.
As so often is the case at York, it paid to race prominent early on. However, as the runners crossed the line at the finish, it would be clear that nothing would have been able to get close to a potentially high class colt. From the start, the colours of Kennett Valley Thoroughbreds carried by Ryan Moore on Dragon Leader took the field along at a decent pace. Ziggy's Condor tracked the leader close up along with Media Shooter and Pilgrim. There was little change in the order until Moore kicked on in the final furlong and his mount responded with a quality turn of pace and shot away from his rivals. Putting daylight  between himself and his rivals in a matter of strides, Dragon Leader turned this valuable contest into a one horse race. Trainer Clive Cox has sent out many promising juveniles this year and this is another, after two narrow margin wins at Salisbury, this performance wasn't expected. In a display of dominance that looked similar to Mums Tipple's rout in 2019, the son of El Kabeir could find himself in big races at the end of the season. 

Race Three: The Clipper Logistics Stakes (Heritage Handicap) - Class Two - One mile - Runners: 19
Winner: ROPEY GUEST (Cable Bay x Hadeeya) (#9) - T. Queally - G. Margarson 

One of the most hotly contested handicaps of the week outside of the Ebor, the key to this race is a clear run with grit and determination to win. The mile contest follows a traditional path of similar races throughout the season. York's own version of Ascot's Royal Hunt Cup or Goodwood's Golden Mile, many of the runners at those previous festivals lined up here once again.
A field of nineteen took to the start and early positioning would be the key to success. Last year's winner Blue For You returned to defend his crown against plenty of York regulars in the field, but had to carry top weight on his back. Northern Express, Eilean Dubh and La Trinidad have all enjoyed previous success on the Knavesmire as well as enjoying another profitable season this year. The lightly raced Akhu Najla looked a high class prospect when wining his maiden, but had a chance to regain his reputation here. Mark Johnston loved training the winner of this race and did so on many occasions including in 2018 where he broke the record of all time winningmost trainer in Britain. His son Charlie has taken over the license and was keen to keep up with family traditions by saddling a strong team of five classy handicappers. Austrian Theory, The Gatekeeper, Dutch Decoy and Spirit Catcher have all won recently while Outbreak's turn could be at any moment. The similarly powerful David O'Meara stable was represented with four runners, including last year's one-two, Blue For You and Escobar. The three-year-old Terwada only made his debut a few months ago but went into the "could be anything" category after two impressive handicap wins recently.

In a tactically fascinating race, jockeys were keen to get an early position up front as it would improve their chances later in the race. From a draw so far wide he was starting from Knavesmire Woods, Point Lynas tracked across the course and took the leader at a vital time, just as the bend loomed large. Under Callum Rodriguez, Point Lynas then dictated the pace and had the likes of Austrian Theory, Ropey Guest, Northern Express and Spirit Catcher on his heels. As the pack stayed on the far side, not many horses got into the race from a held up position. Entering the final furlong, Point Lynas was still bravely hanging on as Ropey Guest came to challenge. The pair began to move clear of Spirit Catcher and crossed the line in a head bobbing finish. The outcome would go to Ropey Guest which sparked great celebrations in the parade ring. The six year old gelding has a large fan club after many near misses in heritage handicap races at Royal Ascot and Newmarket. Running at a venue other than Ascot or Newmarket, it was a change of scenery which sparked the improvement. Known at home as "Chubby", it is always warming to see horses like this get their moment in the sun. It was also a return to the Ebor winner's rostrum for Tom Queally, forever remembered as Frankel's rider. Since those glory days of the early 2010's, Queally has slipped away from the limelight but carried on as usual. This was a timely reminder to many of the talent he retains. 

Race Four: The Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks - Fillies' And Mares - Group One - One mile, Four furlongs - Runners: 10

Winner: WARM HEART (Galileo x Sea Siren) (#10) - J. Doyle - A. O'Brien
A fantastic renewal of the showpiece event on Ladies Day, the group one Yorkshire Oaks. The scene of many brilliant fillies gracing the Yorkshire turf to put their stamp on the race, the list of former winners is something to admire. The wonder mare Enable landed this race twice amongst her many great achievements. Twelve months ago saw the remarkably tough mare Alpinista visit Britain on a rare occasion but dominated proceedings to win for Sir Mark Prescott in an emotional victory. Her legacy would be complete with a subsequent win in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to end her career with an eight race unbeaten streak. 
A race lineup of the highest quality, the race lived up to its headline billing. The absence of Epsom Oaks and Musidora Stakes winner Soul Seeker was a shock to most, but the Irish Oaks victor Savethelastdance lined up as star of the three year olds. The battle of the ages would prove a fascinating aspect in the race and the older generation were headed by Al Husn, who emerged from the shadows into the big time this year after winning the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.  Free Wind would appreciate better ground than she faced at Goodwood last time out, but won the Middleton Stakes here in May, comfortably holding off Poptronic and Sea Silk Road as the trio reopposed. Runner up in the Irish Oaks, Bluestocking deserves a big race win and added plenty of interest to the lineup along with Royal Ascot winner Warm Heart. 
In a pulsating finish, there would be a one-two-three result for the late great sire Galileo. From the start, Ryan Moore opted to be positive on his mount Savethelastdance. Her old rivals Warm Heart and Bluestocking kept an eye on her from close range and the likes of Al Husn, Free Wind and Sea Silk Road were all leading contenders to be held up. The pace was an end to end one, a proper test for a race of the highest quality. James Doyle on Warm Heart nudged his mount closer to the leader and the two Aidan O'Brien fillies got into a battle halfway down the home straight. As Warm Heart began to win the argument, who else but Frankie Dettori would get involved. Travelling easily into contention from the rear, it looked like another big race win this week for the Italian. Locked in battle, the three year old Warm Heart and five year old Free Wind drifted in opposite ways and met in the middle, eyeballing each other in the process. The pair crossed the line as one, but the judge declared Warm Heart had won the Oaks by a narrow margin. Savethelastdance held on for third on ground that would have been quicker than ideal and Bluestocking kept on for fourth. It was a first Group One success for Warm Heart who impressed in the way she won at Royal Ascot on fast ground in the Ribblesdale Stakes. Struggling on soft ground in the Irish Oaks, she bounced back to winning ways and it was a winning spare ride for James Doyle, who is a rare booking for Aidan O'Brien's runners. 

Race Five: The British EBF Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes - Fillies And Mares - Listed Race - One Mile, Four furlongs - Runners: 11

Winner: SEA THEME (Sea The Stars x Mayhem) (#11) - T. Marquand - W. Haggas

Yet another valuable race for fillies and mares, named in honour of one of Britain's best trainers who loved saddling winners at York in the shape of Henry Cecil. He may have won almost every big race there is to be won, but his association with Frankel in the last few years of his life will remain synonymous to the People's Champion Racehorse. Cecil found plenty of success with leading stud operation Juddmonte and their pink and green silks were carried into first and second last year by Haskoy and Time Lock. Dual Irish St Leger winner Search For A Song remains the highest quality of the previous winners. 
The twelve furlong contest is open to three year olds and older and provided an opportunity to land "black type" for a successful breeding career in the future. There would be a Royal runner in the form of Market Value, a beautifully bred daughter of Ascot Gold Cup winner Estimate and bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II. In an open contest, there would be many chances on paper. Frankie Dettori opted for the three-year-old Spring Fever in the black and white silks he has enjoyed so much success with. Spring Fever, trained by the Gosdens, has already won twice this year but could manage just midfield in a similar race at Newmarket last time out. The Newmarket stable also ran Lmay, a similarly well bred filly who has yet to set the world alight on track. The intriguing runner lurked at the bottom of the card, the three year old Sea Theme trained by William Haggas. Connections will be hoping to get some black type onto the pedigree of the daughter of Sea The Stars sooner rather than later. Irish raider Moracana suffered a luckless run at Royal Ascot, getting caught in all sorts of traffic while Scenic ran a promising race last time when finishing third at the previous meeting here over a shorter trip. 

Run in similar fashion to the Yorkshire Oaks half an hour ago, there would be another strongly run affair with a very close finish at the end. Will Buick was keen to make the running on Market Value, but was drawn wide. Tracking over the running rail took a while, but once he got the lead, the pace eased slightly. The likes of Lmay, One Evening and Scenic were happy to sit on the leader's tail while Spring Fever and Makinmedoit gave the rest of the field a head start. At the top of the straight, Neil Callan made a bold decision to kick into a clear lead on Climate Friendly and the filly looked a threat to the others. With the remaining jockeys pushing their mounts along, it set up for a grandstand finish. Tom Marquand was at his typically strongest to roust his filly Sea Theme into content. The daughter of Sea The Stars ate up the ground and soon passed the loose leader Climate Friendly. One Evening challenged on the rail and with Tregony also finishing fast, it led to a three way finish. In a bunch of heads, it would be a double for Tom Marquand and William Haggas as Sea Theme justified favouritism. A well regarded sort, she looks a strong stayer and with this being just her third career start, there is a lot more to come from her. 

Race Six: The OR8Wellness EBF Nursery Handicap - 2-Y-O only - Class Two - Seven furlongs - Runners: 20

Winner: GUSHING GOLD (Blue Point x Mehronissa) (#4) - W. Buick - A. Balding

The second nursery handicap of the week was run over a furlong longer than the previous day's first and saw another competitive lineup on the Knavesmire. With just a small history, the contest has been won by some smart handicapping types including Ataser and Harrow. 
This year's running saw some smart youngsters and the race looked a tricky contest to find the winner in. Winning connections of the 2021 running, Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy, were represented by Aragon Castle while Bigbertiebassett looked a smart colt in the making for Tom Dascombe before finding listed company too hot last time out. Many runners arrived to this race in good form and the likes of Keep Warm, Misemerald and Expert Choice have all shown a good deal of ability recently. 
The Andrew Balding stable would win this race for the second time in three years as their second choice Gushing Gold finished best of all to land this very competitive race. With plenty of front runners, the pace was always likely to be good and the likes of Inishfallen, Lexington Belle and Aragon Castle helped to drag the group along. Gushing Gold raced behind the leaders and was keen, giving a workout to Will Buick in the process. As the field fanned out once again across the track, Buick was in the right place to strike and battled gamely with Lexington Belle and Inishfallen. The daughter of leading first season sire Blue Point was well on top at the finish and scored her first career win in the process. Evidently well regarded, Gushing Gold ran in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and excelled herself by finishing ninth. Two disappointing efforts followed but moving into handicaps made life easier and she entered the winner's enclosure for the first time. 

Race Seven: The British EBF 40th Anniversary Fillies' Handicap - Class Two - Seven furlongs - Runners: 18
Winner: NIGIRI (Lope De Vega x Disclose) (#18) - H. Crouch - R. Beckett.

The third handicap of the day rounded off the card and kept in line with the theme of female stars. A contest for three year olds and older, there is often a close and exciting finish as the fillies and mares fight it out for glory. The "classic" generation have done well in this contest with three year olds winning the last three runnings of this race, and saw Adaay In Asia land her fourth win in a row last year. 2014 winner Bragging would later go on to win at Group Two level for Sir Michael Stoute, meaning the form of this year's race would be worth examining for future reference. 
This year's running looked no different and contained many hopefuls who could easily progress into better races. The lightly weighted Unequal Love had fired in a quickfire treble recent and the very well bred filly trained by William Haggas looked an exciting prospect. Similarly, Naomi Lapaglia was highly tried in the 1000 Guineas at the start of the season following her debut win, but gained a second win recently in impressive style. In a strong looking handicap, the likes of Rock Melody, Farhh To Shy and Coco Jamboo have kept busy this year but held their form excellently. The Nick Bradley Racing outfit had found a new star in their ranks as their filly Sophia's Starlight landed the historic Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon the previous weekend. As well as winning four times elsewhere this year, she has proven to be a valuable asset to the team. 
The race would go the way of a highly progressive three year old in the form of Nigiri, who looked to be a filly with Group race aspirations. The keen going Sophia's Starlight was used to racing and knew what to do so cut out the running early on with the likes of Unequal Love, Nizaaka and Nigiri all in behind. The pace looked strong and after a couple of furlongs, some were beginning to feel the heat. The orange silks of Nizaaka made her challenge to lead but was shadowed by Nigiri and it was the Ralph Beckett-trained three-year-old who showed the best change of gear. Under Hector Crouch, the daughter of Lope de Vega rocketed away from her rivals to win by over four lengths. The smart Naomi Lampaglia and Coco Jamboo were rewarded for their patience as they collected second and third places, but were ultimately chasing thin air. It was a smart performance by Nigiri and yet another quality filly from the Ralph Beckett stable.