York Races Today – Get York Tips for Ebor Festival & More on Knavesmire Track

The continuing tradition of York races today is an ancient one. Archaeological evidence suggests horse racing in the Vale surrounding the city dates back to the Roman Conquest and even the Neolithic period.

From competition inside the Forest of Galtres to Clifton Ings and even across the frozen River Ouse, this sport in the area clearly predates its current site on the Knavesmire. We’ll do our best to follow in some famous and longstanding hoofprints with our AI York tips, then.

History of York Racecourse

Flooding at Clifton Ings, still an occupational hazard in the city centre, during the first quarter or so of the Eighteenth Century, meant a change of venue for horse racing in the area. Despite its appearance as the flat track we know at York races today, the Knavesmire wasn’t as level as it is now and even had a stream running across it.

Following significant drainage work in 1730 to avoid the sort of issues that impacted earlier horse racing meetings elsewhere, the low-lying land about a mile south of Micklegate Bar on the city walls had a horseshoe-shaped track laid out on it in time for 1731. It wasn’t until 1844 that the a fully Round Course was open at York.

Later reverting to the horseshoe shape for most of the Twentieth Century, a complete circuit again became necessary in 2004. This was because York took on the privilege of hosting the Royal meeting of 2005 while Ascot shut for redevelopment.

In 1754, famous local architect John Carr designed and erected the first grandstand on the Knavesmire for racegoers. Worries about decline in the sport resulted in the formation of the York Racecourse Committee in 1842.

Ebor Festival Central to Survival

By the end of the decade, this body devised and introduced contests like the Ebor Handicap, Gimcrack Stakes and Yorkshire Oaks. These are historic York races today during the Ebor Festival, the track’s premier meeting in August.

Through the committee’s efforts, this event revived the fortunes of the Knavesmire and, despite the interruption of two World Wars, the pursuit of developing an attractive race programme continued throughout the Twentieth Century. Although the Nunthorpe Stakes is a Group 1 nowadays, it began life as a low-grade seller in 1903 before its reinvention as a sprint in 1922.

The Yorkshire Cup traces its roots back to the General Strike of 1926, meanwhile, which delayed its inauguration for another year. Immediately after the Second World War, the Knavesmire staged the St Leger, normally at Doncaster races, and the creation of the Lowther Stakes for juvenile fillies, Acomb Stakes and Great Voltigeur Stakes followed in 1946, 1948 and 1950 respectively.

With the Dante Stakes added in 1958, John Smith’s Cup from 1960, Musidora Stakes in 1961 and more besides, there are lots of longstanding races run at the track. The upshot of that is plenty of opportunities to provide York tips for recognised events with history and prestige behind them.

Is York Races Today Flat or Jumps?

Only Flat racing takes place at York. The Knavesmire is a fair and level track where horses race left handed. With a long home stretch of about five furlongs where the Round Course meets the straight used for sprints, it suits strong galloping types.

As Flat racecourses go, York is considered one of the best in the country, yet it has its issues for punters. Especially in the various sprint handicaps run over five to six furlongs, draw bias exists on the Kanvesmire. That is something all horse racing tips for York must remember about the track.

A complete circuit of the Round Course is about two miles. So that long-distance races like the Lonsdale Cup don’t start on the North Bend, however, the stalls are before the winning post roughly level with the Knavesmire Stand. Horses pass the Ebor Stand, Gimcrack Stand and Melrose Stand, then embark on a full lap.

Joining the back straight early on is a chute. This is the starting place for the Yorkshire Cup and Ebor Handicap, but also any York races today over a mile-and-a-half. Starts for a mile-and-quarter, nine furlongs and a mile have different points down the back.

Seven-furlong events like the City Of York Stakes use a spur between the sprint track and Round Course, which only takes the last part of the home turn. As its name suggests, the Knavesmire, much like Haydock races, gets very testing in wet weather and punters can expect going changes if there’s rain.

Key York Races Fixtures

As noted above, the York Ebor Festival towards the end of the summer holidays and concluding on the August Bank Holiday Weekend is the flagship fixture for this venue. It takes place over four days, starting on a Wednesday with the Juddmonte International card and conclude with Ebor day itself.

Flat racing in the north of England arguably doesn’t get any better than the Sky Bet Ebor Festival. That may be the big one on the Knavesmire, but it accounts for just four of 18 racedays on the track in total. There are in fact two horse racing festivals taking place here.

Opening the season at York Racecourse is the Dante Festival in the middle of May. On over three days from a Wednesday to Friday, this meeting still has quality horses on show, but without the inevitable crowds attracted by the Ebor.

In-between these two major meetings of York races today, meanwhile, are five more fixtures. The last Saturday in May is the Bronte Cup card which, although low key, proves popular with racegoers. Similar comments apply to the Macmillan Charity Race Day and Criterion Stakes card, purchased from Newmarket races, on Saturdays in June either side of Royal Ascot.

The John Smith’s Cup meeting and Music Showcase Weekend are two-day fixtures across Fridays and Saturdays in July, meanwhile. During the latter, there’s the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes over the Juddmonte International Stakes course and distance.

After the Ebor, there are two more meetings on the Knavesmire in the autumn. First of all, the Family Raceday on a Sunday in September has the Garrowby Stakes as its feature. The October Finale over two days the following month sees the William Hill Autumn Mile and Coral Sprint Trophy bring the curtain down on York’s season.

York Ebor Festival Tips

In light of the fact that the Ebor is the headline meeting on the Knavesmire, most of our York tips are for races from it. The four days in August attract the best horses to the track, so here’s a breakdown of what’s on and when before we look at the most valuable contests in more detail.

Juddmonte International Stakes

We start with the most valuable of all York races today. Boasting a total prize fund of £1,250,000, the Juddmonte International is the feature on the opening day of the Ebor meeting. Inaugurated in 1972 as the Benson And Hedges Gold Cup, the race attracted immediate fame.

Effectively a match on paper between the Epsom Derby winner Roberto and the then undefeated Brigadier Gerard, the younger horse ended the older one’s streak. Wonder-filly Dahlia also appears on the early roll of honour for this extended mile-and-a-quarter event.

Open to horses aged three and up from the start, other notable winners of the Juddmonte International Stakes include Wollow, Troy, Commanche Run, Rodrigo De Triano, Ezzoud, Halling, Singspiel, Giant’s Causeway, Sulamani, Sea The Stars, Frankel, Australia, Roaring Lion and Mishriff. City Of Troy picked up the £708,875 first prize in 2024.

Yorkshire Oaks

Top among York horse races for fillies and mares, this mile-and-a-half race headlines Ladies Day during the Ebor. Dating back to 1849 when just three-year-olds could compete, the Yorkshire Oaks didn’t open to older females until 1991.

It made winning the race more than once impossible until modern time. Three fillies have since landed it twice with Enable the latest. Worth total prize money of £600,000, it’s no wonder that the best middle-distance females in Flat racing run in the Yorkshire Oaks.

As with any event that pits horses of different generation against one another, York racing tips today must look carefully at the weight for age terms. The theory is younger fillies in the Yorkshire Oaks receive an allowance from their elders to reflect they haven’t the physical development. Content received almost £303,000 for winning the 2024 edition.

Nunthorpe Stakes

Horse of all ages can run in the five-furlong dash that is the Nunthorpe, even two-year-olds. It’s rare but not unprecedented that a juvenile can win this Group 1, so York Ebor tips for the Friday feature must consider them off a featherweight.

One incentive for such youngsters to tackle their elders is the £600,000 prize fund. The Nunthorpe Stakes is no stranger to shock results and photo finishes throughout its history that spans more than a century now. Some 11 different horses have won it more than once and four of those since 2009.

Fillies and mares also have an excellent recent record of winning the Nunthorpe or at least finishing placed. This is because of the sex allowance they receive from male horses in the line-up. Bradsell improved on his third place from 2023 by landing the spoils in 2024 and scooping £283,550 in prize money.

City Of York Stakes

We move on now to the upgraded Group 1 over seven furlongs from Ebor day itself. Also with a total prize fund of £600,000, this is one of the more modern additions to the card after its introduction in 1978.

Attaining top level status in 2025 is the realisation of a long-term ambition for the Ebor races from York. This is because the meeting now provides a Group 1 event on all four days. Spaces Blues and Kinross are notable recent winners of the City Of York.

As with some of the other races during the Festival, horses aged three and up can run. Due to the City Of York’s unique distance, smart York tips today will consider form lines from both sprints and mile races. Breege was a shock win of the race in 2024 when it was still a Group 2 and she scooped a first prize of £283,550.

Ebor Handicap

Europe’s richest Flat handicap dates back to 1843. The Ebor is only open to horses aged four and up since the creation of the three-year-olds exclusive race, the Melrose Handicap. Contested over almost a mile-and-three-quarters, the Ebor is the pinnacle of York betting tips.

Although briefly worth a prize fund of £1,000,000, since the pandemic this has reduced to £500,000. Irish stables have a fine recent record in the Ebor, chasing down that money. Another yard to follow is the John & Thady Gosden operation, who saddled Trawlerman to victory in 2022.

Sea Pigeon and Further Flight are other famous modern winners of the Ebor. Winners of the Melrose, Jorvik Handicap, Grand Cup and an Irish qualifier all receive a guaranteed spot in the race. Some £300,000 went to connections of Magical Zoe for her 2024 victory.

Premier Yearling Stakes

Currently run as the Harry’s Half Million by Goffs, this is a very valuable Sales Race over six furlongs on the Yorkshire Oaks card. Only open to two-year-olds sold during the Goffs Premier Yearling Auction, the price fetched reflects the weight carried.

This factor is often decisive in tips for York races today as the more a runner costs, the harder it is to win Sales races like this one. The concept is to reward connections who buy their horse cheaply. More than £308,000 of the £500,000 pot goes to the winner.

Great Voltigeur Stakes

A Group 2 over a mile-and-a-half for three-year-old colts and geldings on the opening day of the Ebor. It’s a trial for the St Leger, following on from the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood races, and honours Voltigeur. He won the Doncaster Classic in 1850 and a century later, this race remembering him became part of the Festival.

Widely regarded as the best St Leger trial, the Great Voltigeur has £250,000 in total prize money on offer. York race tips must consider the penalty structure here, however, as previous Group 1 and Group 2 winners carry more weight than those who haven’t had such success.

Notable horses on the Great Voltigeur roll of honour include Ragusa, Alleged, Rainbow Quest, Pentire, Fantastic Light, Milan, Youmzain, Telescope and Cracksman. Los Angeles won in 2024 and picked up £171,500 for first place, leading home a 1-2 for trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Gimcrack Stakes

Introduced in 1846, this is the oldest juvenile contest on the Knavesmire. One of the chief supporting races on the Friday of the Ebor, this Group 2 contest over six furlong is only open to two-year-old males. The Gimcrack Stakes historically made stallions.

Racing tips for York today should consider juvenile form from other major meetings over the summer such as Ascot, Newmarket and Goodwood. Speedier types tend to win the Gimcrack with recent examples including Showcasing, Blue Point and Sands Of Mali.

Black Tarquin, Pentingo, Mill Reef, Turtle Island and Rock Of Gibraltar are other big names successful here. Cool Hoof Luke won in 2024, picking up £141,775 of the £250,000 total purse on offer for the Gimcrack.

Lonsdale Cup

A summer companion to the Yorkshire Cup, it’s a two-mile Group 2 also on the penultimate day card from the Ebor. Initially a handicap when introduced in 1962, the Lonsdale Cup switched to a conditions race from 1981.

Further Flight, Persian Punch and Opinion Poll won it twice, but Stradivarius who never lost a race on the Knavesmire holds the record with three victories. Stamina is essential in the Lonsdale Cup, so selections from York horse racing tips better keep finding.

As the only Pattern race over a complete circuit of the Knavesmire, staying types win it. The Lonsdale Cup was part of a Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers Million where a £1,000,000 bonus went to any horse that landed the Ascot Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and then this in the same season. Vauban signed off in Europe with victory in 2024, netting of £141,775 from total prize money of £250,000.

Lowther Stakes

Juvenile fillies face this Group 2 test over six furlongs on Yorkshire Oaks day. First run in 1946 and named after Hugh Lowther, the Earl of Lonsdale, a racehorse owner and senior steward of The Jockey Club, Habibti, Cape Verdi, Russian Rhythm and Fairyland are some notable winners.

Successful York tips for the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes can develop into winning milers or sprinters, as the race has produced both down the decades. With total prize money of £250,000 up for grabs, Celandine tasted victory in 2024 and netted the lion’s share of that with £141,775 awarded for first place.

Strensall Stakes

Moved to the Ebor from September from 2008 onwards, this Group 3 contest takes place over a mile and a furlong on the Saturday. Originally a fillies only race at seven furlongs, the Strensall Stakes gets its name from a nearby village.

In recent years, winning York races tips in it have often gone on to bigger and better things. Lord Glitters and Spirit Dancer picked up big victories overseas following Strensall Stakes success. Of the £170,000 total prize money, See The Fire received over £96,400 for her win in 2024.

Melrose Handicap

Eagle-eyed punters may have noticed that three-year-olds can no longer run in the Ebor itself at York races today and there’s a reason why. When the big raced closed to horses of that age, the creation of the Melrose Handicap gave them a chance to run over the same course and distance earlier on the final day of the meeting.

Further incentive, as if the largest portion of £170,000 prize money wasn’t enough, is available for winning it. Successful horses receive a guaranteed spot in the following season’s Ebor Handicap. The Melrose winner in 2024 was Tabletalk and he picked up a first prize of £87,618.

Acomb Stakes

Introduced in 1948, this Group 3 over seven furlongs for juveniles is the first Pattern race during the Ebor on the opening Wednesday card. Acomb is an area of York, northwest of the racecourse, so it’s easy to see where the race name comes from.

Height Of Fashion, Revoque, King’s Best and Phoenix Of Spain are famous winners of the contest that has a prize fund of £165,000. Some £93,572 of that money went to The Lion In Winter in 2024 when he put in an impressive performance.

Clipper Handicap

The big mile handicap during the Ebor takes place on the Thursday before the Yorkshire Oaks. With £150,000 in prize money up for grabs and £77,310 of that going to the winner, it’s a pot worth winning and there are other races over the course and distance punters can follow including the Hambleton Stakes Handicap at the Dante Festival.

Other Races at the York Ebor Meeting

More handicaps and some Listed races support the best of the action from the Ebor Festival. The Convivial Maiden on the Friday is an event for two-year-olds who haven’t won on the track before and the most valuable contest of its kind.

Sprint handicaps play a big part at York races today and thus the Ebor has a five-furlong one for fillies on the opening day. The Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Stakes over five-and-a-half furlongs that gets the meeting underway is another example, alongside the Constantine Handicap on the Saturday.

More Heritage Handicaps over further during the Ebor include the Sky Bet Mile for three-year-olds, Stayers Handicap and Steve Birch Finale at a mile-and-a-quarter. Listed action in the fillies and mares only Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes on the Thursday and Julia Graves Roses Stakes for two-year-olds on Saturday ensure the widest possible variety.

More Big Races We Have York Tips for

It’s not all about the Ebor at York as there are those other meetings, particularly those earlier in the season with some valuable races to attract runners. Let’s take a look at the best of the rest on the Knavesmire.

Dante Stakes

A Group 2 trial for The Derby at Epsom races run on the middle day as the feature of the entire Dante Festival in May. Taking place on a Thursday midway through the month, this mile-and-a-quarter contest for three-year-old colts and geldings began in 1958.

St Paddy, Shirley Heights, Shahrastani, Reference Point, Erhaab, Benny The Dip, North Light, Motivator, Authorized, Golden Horn and Desert Crown all completed the Dante Stakes-Epsom Derby double. Following York racing tips could lead to unearthing the winner of a Classic, then.

Landing the Dante is a valuable race in its own right with the contest worth more than any other from York outside those during the Ebor. Pride Of Arras, who won in 2025, picked up almost £109,000 in prize money for delivering on the Knavesmire.

Yorkshire Cup

The big race on the Friday of the Dante Festival over the Ebor course and distance of about a mile-and-three-quarters. Open to horses aged four and up, the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup was first run in 1927 as its planned inaugural edition was pencilled in during the General Strike.

Initially a handicap over two miles, it became a conditions contest after the Second World War and had its distance cut to its current length in 1966. Stradivarius, unbeaten in his career races at York, often used the race as a prep run for the Gold Cup, so you might find some Royal Ascot tips on show here.

He holds the record with three Yorkshire Cup victories on the Knavesmire. Rebel’s Romance lasted home in 2025, capturing the first prize of nearly £109,000 for Godolphin on his first visit to the Knavesmire.

John Smith’s Cup

Now the longest commercially sponsored race in the UK, this Heritage Handicap for three-year-olds and up over a mile-and-a-quarter is the big betting race of the first two-day fixture at the track in July. First run in 1960, the John Smith’s Cup has had just two repeat winners in that 65-year history

As with other valuable handicaps from the track, York races today tips should focus on lightly-raced or unexposed horses with further progress in them. Fox Legacy prevailed in 2025 and scooped the John Smith’s Cup first prize of over £103,000, giving trainer Andrew Balding a third winner since 2019.

Middleton Fillies’ Stakes

Another Group 2 race on the Dante card in May using the same course and distance as the feature contest, but for older fillies and mares. Dating back to 1981 when it was a three-year-olds only event, the Middleton changed to its current format in 1997.

Famous winners include Midday, Coronet and Bluestocking. The latter pair went on to Group 1 successes in France. See The Fire added her name to the roll of honour in 2025 and received £91,000 in prize money for first place.

Duke Of York Stakes

Acting as the big race on the opening Wednesday card at the Dante Festival, this six-furlong sprint for horses aged three and up is actually the third iteration of the Duke Of York. Originally a middle-distance event for three-year-olds, it then switched to a sprinting handicap in the postwar period. The current Duke Of York Stakes came in from 1968.

Although a prep race for the Royal Ascot sprint, York tips today must consider horses that need to win this en route. Famous winners of the Duke Of York include Boldboy, Handsome Sailor, Indian Ridge, Pipalong, Invincible Spirit, Society Rock, Harry Angel, Starman and Highfield Princess. Inisherin won in 2025 and scooped prize money of over £85,000.

Sky Bet York Stakes

July’s Music Showcase meeting has a Group 2 trial for the Juddmonte International over the same course and distance as its feature race. Inaugurated in 2006, it has total prize money of £150,000 with more than £85,000 going to the winner.

Musidora Stakes

Three-year-old fillies run in this mile-and-a-quarter trial for The Oaks on the opening day of the Dante Festival. First run in 1961, the Musidora honours a locally-trained female who won the 1000 Guineas and then at Epsom in 1949.

As Classic trials go, it’s usually a good one, so any York races tips today are definitely fillies to follow moving forward. Eight have completed the Musidora-Oaks double including Noblesse and Soul Sister. Whirl won here in 2025 and received £73,323 in prize money.

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