We have just launched our ante-post market, for the 2017 York Ebor. This is the most valuable flat handicap race in Europe and it is always an unmissable spectacle. Which horses are punters already focusing on?
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Age: 4 (Foaled February 1st, 2013)
Sex: Bay Gelding
Breeding: Sea The Stars (IRE) – Precious Gem (IRE) (Sadler’s Wells (USA))
Trainer: Sir Mark Prescott
Owner: Mpr Lii, Mrs Jones & Osborne House
The Sea The Stars gelding has won 3 of his 5 races and made a successful reappearance at Newcastle, in May, winning a valuable 2-mile handicap by a couple of lengths from Endless Acres. Sir Mark Prescott’s inmate went-off as favourite, in the Northumberland Plate, but dwelt and was always playing catch-up thereafter. Should be there, or thereabouts.
Gibbs Hill (GER)
Age: 4 (Foaled May 5th, 2013)
Sex: Grey Colt
Breeding: Mastercraftsman (IRE) – Gold Charm (GER) (Key Of Luck (USA))
Trainer: R Varian
Owner: Mr Paul Smith
Roger Varian’s German colt has been remarkably consistent and has given a decent account of himself in all 7 of his races. Hot handicaps are always unforgiving though and he paid the price for not breaking well here at York in May. Roger Varian booked Ryan Moore for his last outing, which was on the polytrack at Kempton. Zubayr was comprehensively outclassed, despite receiving almost a stone from the Mastercraftsman-sired 4-year-old. Gibbs Hill continues to climb, in the estimation of racing pundits.
Who Dares Wins (IRE)
Age: 5 (Foaled May 6th, 2012)
Sex: Bay Gelding
Breeding: Jeremy (USA) – Savignano (Polish Precedent (USA))
Trainer: A King
Owner: Hp Racing Who Dares Wins
Alan King’s charge has shown his mettle, both over hurdles and on the flat, although he is without a win in 4 2017 starts. Who Dares Wins ran well in the Chester Cup (finishing 4th of 17) and looked sharp again when 3rd of 18 in the Ascot Stakes. Likely to be popular, among each-way backers.
Many others are seen as potential winners, including Shraaoh, Qewy, Ivan Grozny, Higher Power, Desert Skyline, Dal Harraild and John Gosden’s Zenon.
Racing At York
York is an extremely impressive horse racing venue. Over 350,000 spectators make the trip here, over the course of one year. It offers more prize money than all but two other British racecourses. There are three G1 races held here – the International Stakes, the Nunthorpe Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks.
The course is on a piece of land that is to the south-west of the city, next to an old and disused chocolate factory. For hundreds of years, this area has been known as the Knavesmire. The outlaw, Dick Turpin, met his grizzly end here. He was executed, by hanging, in 1739.
Horse racing at York goes back to at least Roman times, There are many historians who would argue that there is clear evidence of racing taking place here before that – during the Neolithic period. Official support is known to have been given, by the city corporation, in 1530.
Cool Runnings
At the beginning of the 17th-Century, the local river (the Ouse) froze over during one bitter Winter. When this happened, horse racing actually took place upon the frozen river!
It is widely believed that racing began at the current site around the year 1730. Before this time, events were being held at Clifton Ings. However, that area was very much prone to flooding and this led to the move to Knavesmire.
Early Races
The first race to be held at York was the King’s Guineas, in 1731. Unfortunately specific details are not readily available about the early York meetings. Very little from that period was written down and historians are still arguing over the early history of this famous old course.
The Ebor Festival
Everybody looks forward to the famous Ebor Festival, which is held at York in August. The pick of the races is the Ebor Handicap and this is considered to be among the top handicap races to be held in Europe.
The International Stakes is another big race that take place at York. During 2005, Ascot Racecourse was undergoing major construction work. However, the all-important Royal Ascot Festival was not cancelled in that year. York hosted the event, which was regarded as a huge success. The St Leger has also been held at York.
The North At Its Heights
York is regarded as being among the most glamorous racecourses in Great Britain and certainly in the North of England. Admission prices will be more expensive than at other courses in Yorkshire, particularly when one of the big festivals is taking place. Most people choose to dress smartly, when making a day of it at York.
Betting With RaceBets
Queues for the on-course bookmakers are likely to be lengthy, during the Ebor Festival. Create a RaceBets account and get your bets on with us, before you go! We have a great welcome bonus offer and lots of other great promotions.
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