The four fantastic days of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival came to a close on Saturday 20 August with a popular success for Trawlerman in the hands of Frankie Dettori in the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor.

This success meant that The Sporting Memories Foundation were the winning charity in the Sky Bet Ebor Community Sweepstake, receiving a donation of £20,000 towards delivering social and inclusive physical activities that improve the mental and physical wellbeing of older people in Yorkshire.

Each of the preceding weekdays had produced a worthy champion in each of the Group One contests. Baaeed, the world’s highest rated racehorse, confirming that status with a memorable display in the Juddmonte International. Alpinista continued her run of five victories at the highest level when winning the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, for much admired, veteran handler Sir Mark Prescott and owner-breeder Kirsten Rausing. On Friday, it was the turn of the Yorkshire sprinters to dominate the sporting pages, as the White Rose county saw Highfield Princess, trained by John Quinn in Malton lead in a one-two-three in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe.

The total attendance over the festival was 77,700 (2019: 81,370, so 3,670, or 4.5% behind), a tribute to the resourcefulness of racegoers who had to contend with the disruption of the train strikes on both Thursday and Saturday. The final day was the biggest crowd with 28,063 racegoers enjoying the sunshine and York welcome. Thursday’s attendance  of 17,591 was the most affected by the rail disruption, being down 3,313 down on 2019.

A record investment in prize money of £6m (+£1.3m on 2021) across the Ebor Festival delivered fantastic racing action with 352 runners and an average field size of over 12.5. 

Commenting on the Sky Bet Ebor Festival, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course William Derby said; “The team reflect proudly on a job well done and we are so grateful for the support of the Horsemen for sending us their stars, as well as to racegoers for showing their support. We have been spoilt by the fabulous weather meaning everyone could enjoy the top-class racing and everything else the Sky Bet Ebor Festival had to offer. At what is a crucial time for our sport, we are delighted that the York Race Committee decision to  invest 100% of forecast media rights this year was rewarded by such fantastic racing, large field sizes and a wonderful atmosphere.  We hope everyone enjoyed the Sky Bet Ebor Festival whether they were with us or following from afar.”