The culmination of another season on the Knavesmire as York held its final race meeting of 2022. After what has been an extra special year for the track, the quality has been even higher than normal this year. The Knavesmire has been a calling point of the route of many of this year's champion racehorses, starting with Desert Crown who won the Dante before romping to success in the Derby. The best horse in Europe, Baaeed, was a huge attraction in August as he arrived for the Juddmonte International and produced a stunning performance to cement his name amongst the greats and of course the brilliant mare Alpinista, who added to her winning streak with a powerful display in the Yorkshire Oaks before landing the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in emotional fashion. York was also the location for the final victory of Stradivarius who brought the house down in the Yorkshire Cup before eventual retirement. 
While it was a good time to reminisce, it was also a glimpse to the future with plenty of valuable events for juveniles over both days. On Friday, a new race has been introduced, the British EBF £100,000 Series Final, to provide prize money bonuses for breeders and owners. On Saturday, the feature is the listed Rockingham Stakes, usually won by a tough and precocious juvenile who is rewarded with a black type win in their first season. Plenty of familiar names were back on the Knavesmire once again, including Ebor Festival winners and course regulars.
A pleasure to have followed the action at York for another season in what has been a fantastic year. I can't wait for the Dante Festival next May to kick off the 2023 season.