Updated: November 2019

The 2018 York Ebor Festival

11 January 2019

The 2018 Ebor York Festival

The Ebor is one of the main staying flat races each year and is held at the picturesque York racecourse. It is one of the richest handicap races in the flat racing calendar in the UK.

The race is named after the shortened form of Eboracum, the Roman name for the city of York. The inaugural race was run in 1843 so it is steeped in history and had the original title of the Great Ebor Handicap. The race was introduced by John Orton, a newly appointed Clerk of the Course at York.

It was initially contested over 2 miles, but is now run over 1 mile and 6 furlongs so that it attracts a mix of middle distance and long distance stayers, which normally provides an exciting race.

The planned running of the Ebor Handicap in 2008 was abandoned because of a waterlogged track. It was replaced by an event at Newbury called the Newburgh Handicap, a reference to the town’s original Norman name.

The race is now held as a highlight on the final day of York’s four-day Ebor Festival meeting. It is currently one of the the most valuable flat handicaps in Europe.

THE EBOR – 3 INTERESTING STATS AND FACTS

1. In the last ten running’s of the race only two horses have carried less than 9 stone.

2. Since the turn of the Milenium only one jockey has ridden the winner more than once with Jamie Spencer victorious in 2007 on Purple Moon and once again in 2010 on Dirar.

3. In the history of the race, only one horse has won back to back running’s of the race with Flint jack winning in 1922 & 1923. Nakeeta attempts to repeat the feat in the 2018 renewal.

5 GREAT FUN ACTIVITIES AND THINGS TO DO IN YORK

Of course you are going to York for the racing. However if you are there for the full 4 days of the meeting then you will also have some spare time on your hands and York has many attractions to check out before and after racing. Here are five of our favorites.

YORK DUNGEON

The York Dungeon brings together an amazing cast of historic characters, immersive sets and surprising special-effects.

We love it! And we know you will too. Here’s why:

Full on 360 sets with gripping storytelling
10 live shows, 75 minutes of fun and 2000 years of history
State of the art themeing and special effects
Famous characters from York’s dark past
Laughs, screams and cutting edge storytelling

THE YORK CHOCOLATE STORY

Great fun for big kids and little kids as well.

On your historical chocolate journey you will first learn how a simple cocoa bean is transformed into the finest chocolate in the virtual chocolate factory. You’ll also discover the history of some of York’s most iconic chocolate brands – take a trip down memory lane and reminisce with some retro favourites from times gone by.

You’ll also learn the secret of why chocolate makes us feel so good and why it has an ethical and sustainable future. Then it’s time to master the secrets of the chocolatier, as you create hand-made chocolates for yourself, before seeing how our very own experts do it. Watch our Chocolatiers as they showcase the art of chocolate-making and sample the fruits of their labour: fresh hand-made chocolates.

BREW YORK 

Ok this one is definitely for the dads and lads. Yorkshire has a long history of brewing some of the finest ales and this tour is a must for any beer lover or brewing enthusiast.

Brew York was born out of two friends passion (some would say obsession) for beer and brewing. Creating Brew York was the realisation of a long lived dream to build a brewery in the centre of York where the experience and location is as enjoyable as the beer itself.

The brewery is located within York’s historic city walls, a 15 minute walk from the station. A very unique Taproom with riverside beer garden has been constructed right alongside the Brewhouse to showcase beers at their freshest. Be sure to check out the events page for upcoming food, music & beer celebrations.

YORK MAZE

Created from over one million living, growing maize plants, York Maze is not just the largest maze in the UK it’s an award winning fun filled, day out in the country.

With over 20 different rides, attractions and shows to enjoy York Maze offers an amazing fun-filled full family day out.

YORK THEATRE ROYAL

Thomas Keregan and his wife Elizabeth established the theatre in 1734 on a converted tennis court. Ten years later following the untimely death of Thomas, his wife built what was then known as the ‘New Theatre’ on the present site.

The building is a patchwork quilt of many periods. A Roman well hides beneath the stage, 12th century remains of what was once a hospital mingles with the Georgian interior, while the Victorian façade is fused with award winning 1960s poured concrete design. The architecture is a fine example of how builders of the past would reuse sound walls and encompass them within their development.

Ok time for the racing!!!

2018 York Ebor Festival Analysis

The Ebor festival spans over four days and has some of the best racing of the year. Below you can see the schedule of all races including “Ladies Day” on Thursday

Wednesday August 22 – Juddmonte International Day

1.55 Sky Bet & Symphony Group Stakes – Handicap (0-105) – Class 2
2.25 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes – Group 3
3.00 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes – Group 2
3.35 Juddmonte International Stakes – (British Champion Series Race) – Group 1
4.15 Sky Bet Stakes – Handicap (0-105) – Class 2
4.50 Sky Bet Stakes – Nursery Handicap – Class 2

Thursday August 23 – Darley Yorkshire Oaks & Ladies Day

1.55 Sky Bet Lowther Stakes – Group 2
2.25 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes – Class 2
3.00 Clipper Logistic Stakes – Handicap – Class 2
3.35 Darley Yorkshire Oaks – (British Champions Series Race) – Group 1
4.15 British EBF and Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes – Listed
4.50 British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Stakes – Handicap (0-105) – Class 2

Friday August 24 – Coolmore Nunthorpe Day

1.55 Sky Bet Stakes – Handicap (0-105) – Class 2
2.25 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup – (Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers’ Bonus Race) – Group 2
3.00 Al Basti Equiworld Gimcrack Stakes – Group 2
3.35 Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes – (British Champions Series Race) – Group 1
4.15 British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes (Plus 10 Race) – Class 2
4.50 Nationwide Accident Repair Services Stakes – Handicap (0-105) – Class 2

Saturday August 25 – Sky Bet Ebor Day

1.50 Sky Bet & Symphony Group Strensall Stakes – Group 3
2.25 Sky Bet Melrose Stakes – Handicap (0-105) – Class 2 Open
3.00 Sky Bet City of York – Group 3
3.40 Sky Bet Ebor – Heritage Handicap – Class 2
4.15 Julia Graves Roses Stakes – Listed
4.50 Sky Bet Stakes – Handicap (0-105) – Class 2
5.20 Sky Bet Apprentice Stakes – Handicap (0-105) – Class 2

The city of York comes to a standstill at the end of August for four amazing days of racing action on the historic Knavesmire, featuring three Group One races and Saturday’s main event The Ebor where Nakeeta will be bidding to become only the second back to back winner since the inaugural running in 1843.

The meeting kicks off with the Juddmonte International Stakes one of the premier middle-distances races in Europe, and if James Doyle is right then Poets Word will be very difficult to beat.

Won by a host of former icons of the sport including Giant’s Causeway, Sea The Stars and of course the mighty Frankel winning in a canter in 2012.

This year’s race provides an intriguing battle of the ages, with Dante (here at York) and Coral-Eclipse winner Roaring Lion taking on the older previously mentioned Poet’s Word, who has landed the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on his two most recent starts.

Locally-trained mare Laurens is among the leading contenders for Thursday’s Darley Yorkshire Oaks while on Friday Battaash remains on course to set the record straight following his surprise defeat in last year’s Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.

The £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor – to be worth £1million from 2019 – is one of the premier staying handicaps in the world and will attract a maximum 20-runner field on Saturday.

2018 YORK EBOR FESTIVAL – BETTING TIPS DAY 1

For our betting selection today we are looking at the 4.50 race and York, and the one we like is PRINCE ELZAAM 16/1 EW.

Trained by David O’Meara, the horse has been in fine form all season and although beaten last time out, that looked to be an improved run on it’s previous form and with a 4lb rise in the handicap looking fair then this one looks great each way value with many bookmakers including Paddy Power and William Hill paying out on 5 places and Skybet paying out on 6 places.

2018 YORK EBOR FESTIVAL – BETTING TIPS DAY 2

For our betting selection today we are looking at the 4.50 race and York, and the one we like is MUBTASIM 33/1 EW.

Trained by William Haggas, the horse was unlucky at Ascot last time when racing on the unfavoured side and also not getting a clear run at a vital stage.

Stayed on nicely to the line and was not beaten too far. The handicapper has reacted with a drop of 2lbs and that puts this one right back to an attractive mark. Will need luck in running but sure to be finishing off its race well.

Great each way value with many bookmakers including Paddy Power and William Hill paying out on 5 places and Skybet paying out on 6 places.

2018 YORK EBOR FESTIVAL – BETTING TIPS DAY 3

For our betting selection today we are looking at the 4.50 race and York, and the one we like is ZAP 16/1 EW.

Trained by Richard Fahey, the horse has run well the last couple of times when looking in need of a step up in trip. The extra furlong looks sure to bring about more improvement and the handicap mark looks fair.

Solid each way value with many bookmakers including Paddy Power and Skybet paying out on 5 places.