Horse Racing

York Ebor Festival 2010 – Day 1 Race Card & Preview

The York Ebor Festival, the last big race meeting of the summer, is upon us and has brought a race card fit to thrill even the most hardened racing fan. Juddmonte Day, the first day of the four day festival, stages six high-action thoroughbred races – from Group 1 events between the season’s best contenders to fixtures to test the new two-year-old colts and fillies.

Race 1 – Symphony Group Handicap – 1.45pm
This event is open to thoroughbreds aged three and older, and runs over a distance of 5 furlongs and 89 yards. According to bookmakers at Betfair – who offer great odds on all events at the York Ebor Festival 2010 – the current race favourite is five-year-old Quest For Success. Trainer Richard Fahey’s experienced runner has collected six wins, three second places and four third places throughout his career and is ready to unleash his sprinting power in the Symphony Group Handicap.

Race 2 – Sportingbet.com Acomb Stakes – 2.15pm
This Class 1 Group 3 race is open to two-year-olds only, running over 7 furlongs. This race includes some great new talents like Dream Ahead, Lake Ontario, Silvertrees and Biondetti. For anyone planning to follow the Classics next year, this race is a golden opportunity to stake out next season’s three-year-olds. For more details on the Acomb Stakes, read on here.

Race 3 – Sportingbet.com Great Voltigeur Stakes – 2.50pm
The Great Voltigeur Stakes are a Class 1 Group 2 race, run over 1 mile and 4 furlongs; and open to three-year-olds only. Legends like Aidan O’Brien-trained Midas Touch, Rewilding from the stables of Mahmood Al Zarooni, and Mark Johnston’s Monterosso are confirmed as starters in this event, so full-on action can be expected. Jockey Jimmy Fortune, who rode last year’s winner of the Great Voltigeur Stakes – Monitor Closely – is back for another crack at the lead with Balding-trained Simeon. For more details about the Great Voltigeur Stakes, read on here.

Race 4 – Juddmonte International Stakes – 3.25pm
The Juddmonte International Stakes are the feature race of the first day – also known as Juddmonte Day. The event is open to thoroughbreds aged three and older, and runs over the distance if 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards. Outstanding equine athletes like Cutlass Bay, Rip Van Winkle, Twice Over and Byword are getting ready to give it their all in this Class 1 Group 1 event. For more details on the International Stakes, read on here.

Race 5 – Sportingbet.com Nursery – 4.05pm
The Nursery Handicap is a six furlong event for two-year-old colts and fillies ready to make their impression on the world stage. Betfair has named Honeymead from the stables of Richard Fahey as the race favourite; followed closely by Barry Hills’ Madany. Second favourite Madany, who will be racing under Richard Hills, has recorded two wins and two runner-ups in his career and seems like the most promising member of the field.

Race 6 – Patrington Haven Leisure Park Handicap – 4.40pm
Run over the distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards, the Leisure Park Handicap challenges the staying power of Class 2 thoroughbreds aged three and over. Leading the board with the bookies are Roman Republic and Red Jade. Roman Republic, trained by Saeed Bin Suroor and to be ridden by Frankie Dettori, has recorded three wins out of ten starts (as well as a second and a third place); Red Jade, trained by Richard Fahey and starting under Paul Hanagan, is chasing his third career win.

With a race card of this calibre, the Juddmonte Day cannot help but be a huge success. If you would like to be a part of the action, check out the great odds offered by Betfair on all York Ebor Festival Fixtures. Horse Racing UK wishes you a great Juddmonte Day!