The premier meeting of York's entire season, the Sky Bet sponsored Ebor Festival. A week which is steeped in history and a valuable part of the city's year, the Ebor Festival sees the very best racehorses, trainers and jockeys converge on the Knavesmire to take part in battle. The meeting is often dubbed the North's Royal Ascot meeting given the prestige and racing history. The first three out of four days features a high class Group One race with Wednesday's curtain raiser headlined by the Juddmonte International. A ten furlong contest which has seen some of the very best racehorses dazzle the Yorkshire crowds such as Sea The Stars in 2009, Frankel's magical win in 2012 and even as far back as Giant's Causeway in 2000 and Roberto in the very first running of the race in 1972. Thursday is the turn of Ladies Day and the feature race, the Darley Yorkshire Oaks. The twelve furlong fillies and mares only contest has provided its own memories, non more so than Enable's two wins in 2017 and 2019 to stamp herself as "The Peoples' Queen". Friday is the turn of the speedsters with the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes taking place over five furlongs. Former winners include the brilliant Battaash on two occasions and a memorable 100-1 winner in the shape of Sole Power in 2010. Saturday sees York's most historic race take place, the Ebor Handicap. Always a highly competitive handicap over fourteen furlongs, it is usually the battle for bragging rights between local racegoers for whoever can find the winner of the race. In 2018, the race was given higher acclamation in the form of a prize money boost by sponsors Sky Bet, with the race now being worth a cool £1 million to the winning connections. 2021's running took place in a deluge, but was won by the subsequent Irish St Leger winner Sonnyboyliston.
So what will happen this year? Current highest rated horse in the world Baaeed puts his nine race unbeaten streak on the line after some highly impressive displays over the past year. He would face the Irish Guineas winner Native Trail and last year's winner Mishriff in a clash that has been eagerly awaited by many in the racing community. A perfect way to open the festival.