Race One: The Coral Rockingham Stakes (Listed Race) - Six Furlongs - 2-Y-O's Only - Runners: 9

Winner: PUROSANGUE (Aclaim x Avon Breeze) (#6) - A. Balding - PJ McDonald

The final day of York's season began with a historic event as the Rockingham Stakes took up its customary slot on the card and has been a mainstay since 1988. The race may not produce as many stars as hoped, but many classy types have added this sprint to their CV. Amongst the previous winners, Avonbridge, Balthazar's Gift and more recently Donjuan Triumphant all went on to perform at Group One level. The popular Sir Dancealot was an impressive winner back in 2017 and last year's renewal was landed by the William Haggas team with the tough and consistent Alpha Capture. 

The listed event is often the meeting point of unexposed types who are moving up the ladder with novice winners also in the mix. It also sees plenty of types who have enjoyed a busy season, often aiming at higher quality races earlier in the year. This year's running saw a talented blend of all three categories which made for interesting viewing. Purosangue had been keeping in good company this season with placed finishes in group races. Starlore won impressively on debut and wasn't beaten far in a Group Two on his latest start. Jehangeer was regarded highly enough to contest in the Gimcrack last time out as he quality breeding suggested, he could only manage a midfield finish that day and was returning from a small break. The eye was drawn to the unbeaten Esquire. Trained by David O'Meara was also gelded before debut but the Cheveley Park-owned juvenile made a nice impression by winning first time out. The wide margin winner Ingleby Ivy stepped up in class to test her limits. There was little between Government Calls and Tropical Island on their Ripon match, but the Richard Fahey-trained Tropical Island won in great style here last time out. The King and Queen's colours were worn by Serried Ranks who hadn't been seen since winning a nursery at Goodwood. The John Ryan-trained World Of Darcy made a quick return to action having won just two days previously and was up to this class earlier in the year.

The racing action began with a relatively level break as the nine youngsters charged down the length of the home straight. The keen going Ingleby Ivy quick took up the lead, but seemingly gave her jockey Mia Nicholls little choice in the matter. Purosangue, Esquire and Government Call were next in the order as World of Darcy had ground to make up following a slow start. Towards the rear, Jehangeer and Tropical Island looked on from a distance. Entering the final stages, the lightly raced Esquire took over in front and looked set to add to his novice debut win. Challenging alongside was he had done throughout the race would be Purosangue. The Andrew Balding-trained juvenile took advantage of his experienced and came out on top in the closing stages. Esquire showed his good level of ability with a second on his first try at pattern level while Jehangeer revived his reputation with a third place. The winner was ahead of the rest of his rivals on official ratings and had the form in the book. A winner on his debut, the son of Aclaim would finish second on three consecutive occasions but chased home the speedy Big Evs at Goodwood, Inquisitively over five furlongs at York and most recently Beautful Diamond at Ayr. Gaining a second career success, connections will undoubtedly be pleased with their colt and it was a deserved win having bumped into some of the best juvenile sprinters in Britain this year. 

Race Two: The Play Coral "Super Series" Nursery Handicap (Class Two) - One Mile - 2-Y-O's only - Runners: 10

Winner: WHISKEY PETE (Night Of Thunder x Dorcas Lane) (#1) - R. Beckett - H. Crouch

This nursery handicap would prove tricky to judge with plenty of the runners either stepping up in distance or not having many runs to study. However, there was plenty of smart enough sorts for this competitive race and the notebooks were ready to take notes for future reference.

The David and Nicola Barron-trained Swift Salian had progressed nicely from race to race and gained a deserved first win at Doncaster last time out. He would aim to follow up here with Connor Beasley back in the saddle, but it was likely going to be tough making all in this tougher race. Classy Boy and Up The Jazz faced each other in a lower grade handicap over a furlong shorter at York last time out with the pair of them finishing in the first three. The more experienced Up The Jazz finished slightly ahead of Classy Boy on that occasion but his sparring partner was hoping to level the score in their mini rivalry. Whiskey Pete had been well regarded by trainer Ralph Beckett and moved into handicap company with the hope of scoring a first win despite the task of carrying top weight. Towards the bottom of the weights, the likes of Glistening Nights, Bust A Move and Alfred were all looking to improve for the step up to a mile.

Breaking out of the gates to a level break, the confirmed front runner in the line up Swift Salian was quick to grab the lead. The pair of Bust A Move and Alfred missed their cue slightly and were on the back foot after just a few strides. Towards the pace, Whiskey Pete, Classy Boy and Glistening Nights were in prime position rounding the home bend while the well fancied I'm Puzzled, Up The Jazz and Aragon Castle were towards the rear. Entering the final two furlongs, there was just minimal change in the order. Swift Salian was unable to dominate proceedings in this stronger event and was quickly swamped before weakening quickly. That left Whiskey Pete and Classy Boy to take over and they would settle down to do battle in the final strides. From the rear, Bust A Move made eye catching progress from his slow start and was gaining on the front two. Whiskey Pete had just enough in reserve to see off Classy Boy and win for the first time after four starts. It would be an exciting finish with just two lengths covering the first five finishers with Aragon Castle and Summit just missing out. For the winner, it was a valuable first win and perhaps overdue. The son of Night Of Thunder is a half brother to a pair of Royal Ascot handicap winners in the form of Atty Persee and Candleford, so his family are talented. A good looking colt, he should follow in the hoofsteps of his relatives and make a nice middle distance handicapper given his connections. 

Race Three: The Coral Sprint Trophy Heritage Handicap (Class Two) - Six Furlongs - 3-Y-O plus - Runners: 22

Winner: MONTASSIB (Exceed and Excel x Felwah) (#3) - W. Haggas - C. Fallon

A traditional sight at York racecourse during almost every single meeting is a large field cavalry charge over a sprint distance. There is something so exciting about seeing a large group of horses and riders charge down the straight at York with many runners in with a shout. Today would be no different as the final big handicap took place at York, the Sprint Trophy Handicap. 
 This year's renewal looked a high class one with plenty of tough types who have danced every dance during their careers. Former Group race contestants dropped down into this company such as last year's Royal Ascot winner The Ridler and Rousing Encore who was a placed in pattern company last year. Ayr's Western Meeting was in focus a few weeks ago and two of the main winners from that festival lined up for a final big pot here. Ayr Silver Cup winner Wobwobwob joined Ayr Gold Cup winner Significantly in the lineup and the pair had been in top form recently. Apollo One has been admirably conisistent for a handicap sprinter following placings in the Wokingham at Ascot and Stewards Cup at Goodwood. Significantly was joined by stablemate Pendleton who had not spent long at Julie Camacho's yard. The likes of Gweedore, Montassib, It Just Takes Time and Mr Wagyu were all close behind in the aforementioned Ayr Gold Cup and renewed their rivalries in search of turning the tables. It wouldn't be a York sprint handicap without a host of former course winners and there was a whole host of previous Knavesmire winners from this year on display. Summerghand and Albasheer memorably dead-heated in the Constantine Handicap in August while Bielsa rolled back the years with a win in May. Aberama Gold had also landed a big handicap back in July and Another Investment had some smart form over longer distances. The popular and evergreen pair of Escobar and Hyperfocus took part in yet another big race at York while 2021's runner-up Laugh A Minute was hoping to go one place better this year.

The soft ground conditions posed no fears to the trainers and owners as the feature race would be the only one without a non runner all day. The twenty-two strong field broke well and quickly they split into the customary two groups. The pace seemed decent enough and both groups seemed evenly matched across the track. Gweedore led the bigger stands side group while the veteran Hyperfocus led the charge on the far side. As the race unfolded into the final stages, the groups converged as many runners fanned out with their challenge. The Ayr Gold Cup winner Significantly moved through to lead overall and looked set to pick up another big prize, but the red and black silks of Montassib had weaved his way from the rear under Cieren Fallon and loomed large. On the other side, Gweedore bravely held off the attentions of that group and began to pull clear of his nearest rival. As so often is the case in soft ground sprints at York, the lower numbered draws held the advantage and it was clear the far side was favoured. Just as the Camacho stable were ready to celebrate, Montassib showed a smart turn of foot to breeze past and land a first race since May. Gweedore was rewarded with a third and the far side leader Hyperfocus held on for fourth.

The Ayr Gold Cup form held up very well with the winner that day, Significantly, taking home second and the third placed Gweedore filling third again. Montassib had finished fifth at Ayr but caught the eye with his late burst. A soft ground lover, the five year old has raced over seven furlongs for the majority of his career. A rare drop to six furlongs suggest this race may have been the plan given the likelihood of getting his preferred conditions. 

Race Four: The Coral Racing Club EBF Maiden Stakes (Class Two) - One Mile - 2-Y-O's only - Runners: 7

Winner: COLORADA DANCER (Time Test x Colorada) (#3) - R. Fahey - D. Nolan

Just like so many other maidens at this time of the year, it can prove valuable to jot the names of winning juveniles with next year in mind. Many of the late developing and middle distance types begin their racing careers and this was no different in this newly redesigned race. In previous years, the race was ran over seven furlongs but last year it moved up to a mile. Twelve months ago, Modesty made a winning debut and for this year, there was more prize money injected into the pot and it ran under the Qipco Champions Series banner. Therefore, the race could bear significance for next year and many leading stables were keen to unveil their newcomers here.

The John & Thady Gosden stable often produce their Classic hopefuls towards the end of each season and they unveiled their newcomer Assailant, in the famous Stradivarius colours of owner Bjorn Nielsen. The colt is related to the smart stayer Salvador Mundi who was third in the St Leger ten years ago. The form choice in the ten-strong lineup would belong to Align The Stars, who had finished runner up on both starts for Charlie Johnston. It was hoped he could gain a first win before the end of the season before going on bigger and better things as a three year old next year. The Middleham stable also saddled Love Warrior, a son of Saxon Warrior who was making his racecourse debut. Richard Fahey's Colorada Dancer had the most experience with three runs and was beaten a nose on debut, but was yet to find that elusive first win. Karl Burke introduced the grey Nabilov in a very hot looking novice at Thirsk in which he managed fifth, but it showed the regard he was held in and was an interesting improver. There would be debuts for the likes of Something, Winston's Tipple and Wonder Kid from the O'Keeffe, Balding and Palmer stables in a fascinating race. 

The once good looking line up was decimated by the ground conditions as the likely favourite Align The Stars was a late non runner. He would join Nabilov and Winston's Tipple on the absentee list, but the field of seven looked promising enough in search of their first win. With half of the field making their debut, there was naturally some worry about the loading process. However, the colts were well behaved and entered the stalls quietly. Upon exiting the stalls, Love Warrior was a little slowly out of the blocks and had to be ridden into the lead which he shared with Made All, who was seemingly well named. Chasing the pace would be the Richard Fahey-trained Colorada Dancer and Hugo Palmer's Wonder Kid. As the pace began to pick up, some of those with signs of inexperience began to struggle. The newcomer Something was left behind as Financer and Wonder Kid were a little slow to pick up. Up at the front, Colorada Dancer had travelled well into contention and delivered the goods when asked the question. He showed a nice turn of foot and put the race to bed. In behind, Love Warrior showed ability on his debut as he rallied back without looking like regaining the lead. John Gosden's debutant Assailant also finished well enough to take third and show signs of promise. 

Just like in the previous two-year-old races at this meeting, experience is the key to success. Colorada Dancer had the most runs in the field and that racing knowledge came in useful on tricky ground conditions. Having finished second on his debut at Sandown when beaten a nose, he was then smashed by a smart type next time out. He took a step backwards when fourth last time out, but today he finally delivered on the promise. The choice of distance for the colt in the future will be interesting. A son of Time Test, a top class middle distance type, he is a homebred half brother to Norfolk Stakes winner The Ridler. Wherever he goes next season, he looks to be a talented horse. 

Race Five: The Coral Racing Bundles Handicap (Class Two) - One Mile, Two Furlongs - 3-Y-O's plus - Runners: 11

Winner: CERTAIN LAD (Clodovil x Chelsey Jayne) (#1) - J. Channon - G. Bass.

The quality kept on coming with yet another class two event and this time it was for the middle distance handicappers. This end of season feature has gained a reputation in recent years for producing a star of the future. Back in 2020, Ilaraab took home first place before winning at Group Three level. In 2021, a certain Bay Bridge landed this race before going on to bigger and better things, namely winning the 2022 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot. Even last year's renewal which saw a small field, saw the winner Algiers progress further to win a Group One in Dubai on the dirt. 

Given the recent history of the race, this year's race would be eagerly anticipated. 2021's winning connections of jockey Richard Kingscote and trainer Sir Michael Stoute were represented by the unexposed Believe In Stars, a well bred three year old who had won his previous two races. Aalto made his British debut for trainer Ian Williams having previously been trained in France and looked to be another unknown quantity. Titian landed last year's final race at York during this meeting and he has constantly run well in defeat all year. He returned to York in this much better grade of race. Winner of the very first race of this year, Scampi, returned on the final meeting at York in the attempt of landing a unique double. He had served his owners well this year. Lord Protector, a smart handicapper, made his debut for the shrewd operation of trainer Ruth Carr and looked another interesting runner. La Yakel returned to form with a nice win at Doncaster's St Leger meeting and would appreciate the softer ground. In a good quality handicap, Carolus Magnus, Killybegs Warrior and Hartswood were just a few of many with a chance of victory.

Like so many on the card, the well fancied Believe In Stars was a victim to the weather and was withdrawn due to the ground. That news may have encouraged the connections of his prospective rivals, but the race remain fairly open on paper. The Charlie Johnston-trained Killybegs Warrior quickly assumed the lead under Ben Curtis and he was closely chased by Certain Lad and the keen going Lord Protector. Favourite La Yakel travelled well enough on his favoured ground and the pace seemed reasonable for the grade. Apprentice rider George Bass had his mount Certain Lad in the perfect position on the tail of the leader and the pair moved forward to take the lead from Killybegs Warrior. La Yakel would emerge from the pack to chase the new leader down, but it was a case of being too late. It would be an overdue return to the winners' enclosure for the seven year old Certain Lad with La Yakel running a sound race in second. Back in fourth, Scampi had run another bold race and has been a credit to his connections during a busy season. Certain Lad was once a very classy sort back in 2020 and won the Group Three Strensall Stakes at the Ebor Festival that year. Placed in a John Smith's Cup back in the day, it was clear he would enjoy returning to the Knavesmire. His rating had dropped to a winning one and today was the time to strike. 

Race Six: The Coral Get Closer To The Action Handicap (Class Three) - Two Miles - 4-Y-O's plus - Runners: 9

Winner: PUNCTUATION (Dansili x Key Point) (#5) - F. O'Brien - H. Doyle

The focus of the weekend's racing was also diverted to Chepstow where the "official" start of the jumps season was taking place. There would be a dash of National Hunt racing thrown into the mix courtesy of some high profile trainers in the sphere giving their horses a blowout ahead of the upcoming jumping season. Fergal O'Brien's stable landed this race two years ago with Gumball and they returned to the Knavesmire with wide margin Aintree winner Punctuation. Similarly, there would be an inclusion of the grey Wakool for trainer Nick Alexander. He won a Grade Two over hurdles at Haydock back in February but would need to adjust to starting stalls for the first time in over four years.

For the flat team, there was plenty of talented horses at this level which gave the race its competitive feel. The mare September Power showed some quirks at the previous meeting here but finished well to win last time out where she defeated the highly consistent Marbuzet.  The Martin Todhunter-trained Arrange had found a jolt of improvement to win three of his six starts this year which included a defeat of the in form Dreams Adozen last time. Legendary Day had been a regular in strong handicaps and landed one for himself on his penultimate start in Ireland.

History would repeat itself from two years ago as the pairing of Fergal O'Brien and Hollie Doyle produced another winning favourite to the delight of the racegoers. From the outset, the blinkered Alpine Stroll dictated the pace under Jo Mason, but the pace was sensible in the circumstances. With evenly set fractions, there wouldn't be many complaints from the riders. The near-white Wakool was easy to in the midfield while fellow dual purpose runner Punctuation was given a patient ride. The second grey in the field Arrange had tracked the early pace and began to move up to dispute the lead in the final stages. He picked up well and charged towards the stands with a narrow lead, but Hollie Doyle had watched every move and was next to challenge on Punctuation. In a tough display, the six year old dug deep to grind out a win for the popular O'Brien stable and it would be a credit to Doyle's riding. Arrange held on for second with a long gap back to the third Animato with recent winner September Power running well again into fourth. 
For the winner, it was mission accomplished for the plan to warm the horse up ahead of the new jumps season. The son of Dansili was bred to good on the flat and was a produce of Queen Elizabeth II's breeding operation. Switching to the Fergal O'Brien stable in early 2022, he would win three times over hurdles including at a small meeting at Cheltenham. His biggest moment came at the Grand National festival where he stormed home by nine lengths in miserable weather conditions and surely bigger races over timber will come soon for Punctuation. 

Race Seven: The Coral Finale Handicap (Class Four) - One mile, Two furlongs - 3-Y-O's plus - Runners: 13

Winner: STAR AHOY (Sea The Stars x Infallible) (#7) - W. Haggas - C. Fallon
The final race of the 2023 season at York had arrived and it would determine which stable can hold the bragging rights of being York's final winner through the winter. Last year, Titian caused a surprise result for Julie Camacho before improving further into class two races.

The field would see a mix of ability with some lightly raced three year olds taking on much more streetwise older horses over this intermediate trip of ten furlongs. For the "Classic" generation, the beautifully bred Star Ahoy had seemingly failed to live up to expectations so far to find herself at this level, but it was hoped he could sign off this year with a win for trainer William Haggas. Similarly, the Ralph Beckett-trained Promoter was highly tried in the early stages of her career but has fallen to this level following recent performances. The Roger Fell-trained pair of Toshizou and Marie's Diamond had dropped into this class having taken in better quality races this year while Where's Jeff was one of a few last time out winners in the field The unexposed Dunes King was another with a considerable amount of improvement for the Charltons. Bosc Girl finished runner up in a near identical race at the previous meeting while stablemate Furzig usually comes alive at this time of the year.

The finale would go the way of the market leader once more to send punters home happy. Victory would go to the three year old Star Ahoy. From the moment the gates opened, it took almost a furlong for the pack to organise themselves with running plans. The hardy Marie's Diamond cut out the early pace with the likes of Star Ahoy, the grey Molinari and his stablemate Toshizou all running close to the leader. Promoter did himself no favours with a slow start and was trailing at an early stage. Chasing nothing more than an even pace, Cieren Fallon made his race winning move halfway down the home straight. Taking over the lead, the gelding responded well to the questions asked. Toshizou would keep him honest though and a great battle soon ensued for the remainder of the straight. As the two leaders went head to head in the final stages, the unexposed three year old found extra to grind away and land a second win of his career. Toshizou ran one of his better races here and Bosc Girl finished well to take third with Poet's Dawn also staying on nicely at the death into fourth.

The winner, bred and owned by the leading breeding operation Cheveley Park Stud, was expected to rate much higher than a class four level handicapper. A son of the mighty Sea The Stars, Star Ahoy is also a son of the high class mare Infallible, who won a Nell Gwynn Stakes before finishing in the frame in a 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes. The gelding is also a full brother to Group Two winner Mutakayyef and half brother to Group One winner Veracious. Success ins in the family, but progression for this gelding may take longer than expected. A nice type for handicaps next season and potentially low level group races.