The Flat racing season is drawing ever-nearer to its thrilling conclusion at British Champions Day at Ascot in mid-October, and following the recent Yorkshire Ebor Festival, which included several of the last legs of the British Champions Series, the racecards for the big finale are finally starting to take shape.
The Ebor is an historic meeting that attracts a lot of interest every year, but with racegoers allowed back to York Racecourse in their numbers for this seasons renewal, it was always going to be a special few days in the northeast, with spectators on hand to roar home the world-class horses on show.
So, without further ado, read on as we take a look at the big winners from this years Yorkshire Ebor Festival
Juddmonte International Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1)
The final leg of the middle-distance British Champions Series before the Champions Stake at Ascot, the Juddmonte International Stakes was the feature race on Day One of the meeting. Aidan OBriens stable star St Marks Basilica had all the backing in the horse racing tips from Betdaq in the build up to the race. However, he was pulled out due to a leg injury, with Mishriff made the favourite in what was deemed by many as a one-horse race. And thats what it proved to be, as the John and Thady Gosden-trained horse romped home six lengths clear of Alenquer, whilst Love was a further half-a-length back in third.
Yorkshire Oaks (British Champions Series) (Fillies & Mares) (Group 1)
Renowned Irish trainer OBrien may have missed out on his big win on the first day of the festival. However, he wasnt left ruining a missed opportunity on Day Two, as Snowfall stormed to glory in the Yorkshire Oaks. Winner of the Epsom Oaks and the Irish Oaks already this season, the three-year-old set off in the one-mile and four-furlong race, which is the final leg of the British Champions Series Fillies & Mares, as the 8/15 odds-on favourite, and she won rather easily, beating Albaflora by four lengths. La Joconde, another from OBriens prestigious yard, was guided home in third by Hollie Doyle.
Nunthorpe Stakes (British Champions Series) (Group 1)
The favourites may have had their own way in the previous two feature races of the meeting, but that wasnt the case in the Nunthorpe Stakes, as Winter Power won the five-furlong sprint from 9/1. Suesa was the 9/4 favourite to land a victory in the thrilling race. However, the Francois Rohaut-trained horse could fare no better than fourth as Winter Power and jockey Silvestre De Sousa streaked clear to win by a length and quarter clear of 40/1 chance Emaraaty Ana. Third favourite Dragon Symbol and Oisin Murphy were a further half-a-length behind in third.
Ebor Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
The showpiece event of the week, the Ebor Handicap is the richest race of its type in Europe. Willie Mullins Mt Leinster and the William Haggas-trained Ilaraab were the joint favourites at 5/1. However, they were nowhere to be seen as the leaders approached the line. Instead, 10/1 shot Sonnyboyliston scooped the huge £300,000 prize purse. Ben Coen was pushing the four-year-old along on the nearside around the three furlongs out. However, he was soon switched left and led inside the final furlong. Sonnyboyliston started to drift left towards the finish, but held on to beat Quickthorn by a neck.
