York Racecourse

It was said to be a source of "great disappointment" to the BHA's Flat Pattern Committee that its partners in Europe could not unanimously agree on an upgrade to the G2 Sky Bet City of York Stakes back in February. Had the application been approved by the European Pattern Committee (EPC), it would have seen the the race become the only Group 1 to be run over seven furlongs in Britain. This was no hit-and-hope attempt by York to attain that status, rather the culmination of a 12-year-plan, in conjunction...

Eight distaffers will contest Thursday's G1 Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks after two of the 10 overnight contenders were withdrawn before Tuesday morning's declaration stage. Valmont and Newsells Park Stud Bloodstock's G1 Irish Oaks heroine You Got To Me (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is set to renew rivalry with Curragh runner-up Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). That Aidan O'Brien representative will be accompanied by stablemate and Irish Oaks 13th Port Fairy (Ire) (Australia {GB}). The latter had earlier accounted for the reopposing Lava Stream (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in Royal Ascot's G2...

Coolmore's G1 Derby and G1 Eclipse hero City Of Troy (Justify) is set to face one dozen rivals from stall five in Wednesday's G1 Juddmonte International after 13 were declared for the £1.25-million feature on the opening day of York's Ebor Festival. Trainer Aidan O'Brien will also be represented by Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) after trimming weekend winner Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and G1 Irish Derby victor Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) from his overnight team of four. The home defence is headed by G1 Derby runner-up and...

Irish Oaks runner-up Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has been supplemented to the G1 Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks, bringing the field to 10 as of Friday. The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly joins stablemate and G2 Ribblesdale Stakes heroine Port Fairy (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the 1 1/2-mile contest on Aug. 22. O'Brien is aiming for his fourth title in the York race in the last five years. Ralph Beckett-trained fillies have been enjoying a good season, and G1 Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) will run in the...

Shadwell's Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}--Adhwaa {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) was highly tried after posting a career high in last term's G2 Sky Bet York Stakes, finishing just off the podium behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in September's G1 Irish Champion Stakes and last month's G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes on seasonal return, and secured back-to-back renewals in a tactical affair on the Knavesmire. The Owen Burrows trainee employed patient tactics and raced under a firm hold, behind all three opponents, through the initial fractions as King's...

Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) has been confirmed as an intended runner in next month's G1 Juddmonte International at York by owner Tim Gredley, who also revealed plans for the Derby runner-up to stay in training as a four-year-old. Trained by James Fanshawe, Ambiente Friendly has underlined his status as one of the leading three-year-old colts in training since his impressive victory in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes in May, first faring best of the rest behind City Of Troy (Justify) at Epsom and then running another solid race...

Group winner Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) is recovering well from his spring setback that ruled him out of early Classic contention, and trainer Charlie Appleby has penciled in the G2 Great Voltigeur on Aug. 21 as a likely starting point. The Godolphin runner, successful in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes and G3 Zetland Stakes at two, claimed Sandown's G3 Classic Trial Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths in April. He sustained his setback in mid-May and has been recovering in the interim. "He's very much on the comeback trail and it...

Godolphin homebred Devoted Queen (GB) (Kingman {GB}--Fintry {Ire}, by Shamardal) registered victories over seven furlongs at Newmarket in October and over one mile at Kempton in April and maintained her umblemished record, racing in a first-time hood, with a two-length tally in Friday's Listed Sky Bet Michael Seely Memorial at York. Employing patient tactics towards the rear through halfway, she made smooth headway into contention approaching the final quarter-mile and kept on powerfully under late urging to win, going away, by two lengths from Spiritual (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) for...

Juddmonte's G1 Irish Oaks and G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares runner-up Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}--Emulous {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) had failed to get her nose in front since attaining 'TDN Rising Star' status at Salisbury in September 2022, but bounced back from six straight stakes defeats to outshine all four rivals with a dominant display in Thursday's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' S. at York. Positioned in a handy third through the halfway mark of this extended 10-furlong contest, the 5-2 second favourite loomed large racing hard...

Peter Harris's 4-year-old Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}--Swirral Edge {GB}, by Hellvelyn {GB}), who ran second to the reopposing Washington Heights (GB) (Washington DC {Ire}) in last month's G3 Abernant S. at Newmarket on seasonal return, stepped forward to claim a last-gasp victory in a dramatic renewal of Wednesday's G2 1895 Duke of York Clipper S. at York. The Jane Chapple-Hyam trainee annexed Deauville's G3 Prix de Meautry and Listed Prix Moonlight Cloud in seven sophomore starts before undergoing a wind operation at the end of last year. Mill Stream...

Her Majesty The Queen has agreed to be the royal patron of York Racecourse, it was announced on Monday. Both The King and The Queen have a keen interest in both racing and breeding, with the bloodstock interests of the late Queen Elizabeth II having passed into their joint ownership. This latest role builds on existing links to the sport for Her Majesty, notably as patron of the National Stud as well as being president of the Ebony Horse Club, a riding charity in Brixton, London. York Racecourse chairman, Bridget...

A new long-term contract agreement between RaceTech and York Racecourse which will see them provide full integrity services such as starting stalls and photo finish technology, was announced by the companies on Wednesday. RaceTech will also continue to provide technical support at the track which is set to stage 12 Premier Racedays in 2024, including all four days of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival. John Bozza, RaceTech CEO, said, "We are very proud to be entering a new five-year contract with York Racecourse. RaceTech has worked closely with the racecourse...