A wonderful week of racing at York once again delivered story after story; as first, Roaring Lion claimed the £1m Juddmonte International in impressive style, and then, on day two, local trainer Mark Johnston broke the record for training the most winners in Britain, half an hour before Sea of Class won the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, with an eye-catching run. Day three witnessed more history with Stradivarius being the first horse to land the Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers Bonus, worth £1m, a test of stamina that fell an hour before the raw speed of Alpha Delphini edged a photo finish to give Bryan Smart, another Yorkshire handler, a first Coolmore Nunthorpe. Winning rider, Graham Lee, now has both Britain’s fastest Group One and a Grand National on his CV. The final day of the meeting was all about the Sky Bet Ebor with trainer, John Gosden, completing a remarkable week with his first win in the famous contest, courtesy of Muntahaa, in the richest ever running of this landmark contest.

With record prize money of £4.7 million attracting over three hundred and twenty runners included success for nine trainers from the home county (John Quinn, Mark Johnston, Richard Fahey, Kevin Ryan, Declan Carroll, Bryan Smart, Karl Burke, David O’Meara and Tim Easterby) amongst the winners, it was truly a great week of sporting action.

The final day of the Festival saw Muntahaa make it a fourth win in the week for Clarehaven Stables, as former champion jockey, Jim Crowley, landed the first leg of a double on the day in front of the biggest crowd of the week, as near 28,000 racegoers, enjoyed the brightest day of weather.

Over the four days, the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival 2018 attracted approaching 82,500 racegoers, with attendance ahead of last year on all four of the days (+2% cumulatively).

On the opening day, the highest rated 10f race in Europe, the £1,000,000 Juddmonte International fully justified its prize money, as Roaring Lion confirmed himself as the best of the classic generation, surprisingly a first win in York’s richest contest for trainer, John Gosden, and also a first such triumph for rising star jockey, Oisin Murphy.

Appropriately for Ladies Day, The Darley Yorkshire Oaks announced Sea of Class as the best European filly of the season, as she gave Skipton-born, William Haggas, the birthday present he wanted when adding a second Group One this summer. In so doing, the filly became favourite for the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe in the autumn. That same afternoon, racegoers also enjoyed the performance of another John Gosden trained filly, La Ti Dar, who may yet return to the county as the favourite for the William Hill St Leger at Doncaster.

Big race wins meant five flying dismounts for Frankie Dettori, as he picked up the Ray Gilpin Award for the most successful rider of the week, his win on Expert Eye in the Juddmonte silks on Saturday being enough to just pass Oisin Murphy in the Sky Bet backed contest.

Always a key part of the European racing calendar, the Festival includes four races that are part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.

The ITV Racing cameras covered the action on the track as well as the sense of style and occasion in the stands, with the BAFTA winning team drawing improved viewing figures over the week. A tribute to the knowledge, enthusiasm and sense of fun of the presentation team led by Ed Chamberlain. Technical improvements, such as the “towercam” and “batcam”, all added further colour for viewers. Cameras from Racing UK allowed their expert team to shine in giving the detailed analysis that is the trademark of this channel dedicated to the sport.

Fashion is always an integral part of the occasion and another record number of racegoers went down the Ebor Fashion Lawn catwalk.  The feature prize of a trip to go racing in Dubai - courtesy of Al Basti Equiworld Dubai - was claimed by Sarah Withers from South Yorkshire. Many racegoers posed in front of the flower wall for a selfie or group shot with friends. Guests from the UK Chinese Dance & Cultural Mission added further flare to Saturday.

The recent refurbishment of the Clocktower Enclosure continued to be a benefit to racegoers, as was the news giant screen overlooking the Edwardian Weighing Room Lawn.

On the opening and closing days, parachute display teams, the RAF Falcons and Silver Stars of the Royal Logistics Corps, dropped in to the cheers of the crowd.

Reflecting on another memorable week, William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, said “I know I’m a little biased but this has been one of the most memorable festivals that I have known; the horses and their connections have made history to the delight of the knowledgeable crowds. I’m delighted that the decision to increase the prize money attracted such strong fields, that in turn produced thrilling racing. Add in the sense of occasion that the Ebor Fashion Lawn created and spontaneous fun generated by the live music, and it all adds up to a great four days.  Racegoers have enjoyed the Yorkshire food which celebrates our use of local ingredients.

“The racecourse team of over 2,000 staff and partners has put in a huge amount of work and I am grateful to them, the horsemen, our sponsors and racegoers for their tremendous support of the meeting.”

As the feature racing Festival of 2018 becomes a fond memory and before it returns on Wednesday 21 August 2019, the sporting crowds can look forward to the next raceday on Sunday 9 September when both the Pony Race Series, and Chase from Paw Patrol, come to the Knavesmire.