The Sky Bet Ebor Festival delivered in style and Robbie Lee looks back at some of the standout moments from across the week, plus some eye-catching runners to follow in the future.
Wednesday
Maltese Cross produced one of the performances of the week when powering past Pierre Bonnard in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur to confirm himself a high-class staying prospect and that run looks to make him a major player in the Betfred St Leger.
This was quickly followed by a thrilling renewal of the Juddmonte International, the start of a fantastic week for Andrew Balding. Item found himself in a bit of trouble was able to get his head in front at the right time to deny Almaqam late on to win by a head. The two market leaders, Ombudsman and Constitution River, never landed a blow, the former reportedly being unsuited by the testing conditions.
Dylan Browne McMonagle landed his first career York winner after Small Fry won the Sky Bet Stayers Handicap to continue the great season for trainer Joseph O’Brien. The gelding was always doing enough when he hit the front and denied the bottom weight in the field Mountain Road.
Thursday
The day began with a textbook ride from Billy Loughnane onboard Libertango, who got back to winning ways when landing the Sky Bet Lowther for trainer George Boughey.
Sun Goddess was a class above in the Harry’s Half Million when winning by six lengths under Ryan Moore for her Coolmore connections. She already landed a big pot just 11 days before when winning the Group One Keenland Phoenix Stakes and added another decent prize to her name.
Andrew Balding stole the show from here, winning four of the last five races. The highlight of his day was Kalpana winning the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks, when just getting the better of Sparan Nua, again for Colin Keane and Juddmonte.
Friday
Al Nayyir put up a big performance to land the Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup under William Buick to deny Illinois in an exciting renewal of the marathon contest. The eight-year-old found another gear to win the Group Two by a length.
A big winner for the north followed this with Arapaho Gold winning the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack for Michael Dods. Connor Beasley gave the winner a great ride and the gelding found plenty in the final furlong to win by just under a length.
The Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes was won in incredible fashion by the American-raider Bacio. He broke sharply and showed his blistering pace to win by over a length from Starlust. Ridden to victory by Juan Hernandez and trained by Wesley Ward, this was a renewal which will be remembered for a long time.
Joseph O’Brien landed his second winner of the Festival when Benjamin Hornigold made a striking debut to land the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden by two lengths. Another winner on the board for Colin Keane, the son of Blackbeard looked a potentially smart prospect for the future.
Saturday
The recent Coral Golden Mile winner Archivist improved again to win the Sky Bet Strensell Stakes in impressive fashion as he stormed seven lengths clear of the field to win the Group-three contest under Callum Rodriguez.
Despite concerns about the ground, Notable Speech was an assertive winner of the Sky Bet City Of York stakes to add another Group One victory to his CV. William Buick’s mount was nearly three lengths clear of Lake Forest and a repeat of that performance will give him a big chance when heading back to the Breeders’ Cup.
Alan King’s Daiquiri Bay landed the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor under a fine Rossa Ryan ride to just deny Hopewell Rock. The gelding followed up his Royal Ascot success to land another big handicap for the renowned jumps trainer.
The John Smith’s Cup winner Raammee followed up his success to land another big handicap at York, landing the final race of the Festival for Roger Varian and Ray Dawson under top weight.
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