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York delighted with stars horses at first four-day Ebor Festival

The chief executive of York Racecourse, William Derby, has said he was “delighted” with the first four-day Ebor Festival.

William Derby began by pointing out that the quality of racing was top class and was a tribute to the investment by the York Race Committee in prize money and the support from connections. Prize money in the Ebor Festival has risen by over 50% in the last five years and by over £300,000 since the last running of the three day Ebor Festival in 2007. The increases were spread across the event; from the feature contests including York’s richest ever race the £600,000 Juddmonte International, to some of the traditional favourites such as the Sky Bet Melrose Stakes and Sky Bet Strensall Stakes which have both doubled in prize money since 2007.

William Derby said: “The investment in prize money has been rewarded with some outstanding racing performances. To see the likes of Sea The Stars, Dar Re Mi, Sariska, Borderlescott and others compete in such fabulous contests on the Knavesmire was a treat.”

A source of particular pride was the performance of the racing surface during the week. Following the £2.5m investment in the track project with a new irrigation and drainage system the week saw racing on Good to Firm conditions with track records in 4 races being broken. William Derby who is also Clerk of the Course said “It is a huge tribute to all the people involved in the track and the team led by Adrian Kay who have worked tirelessly to deliver the racing surface on which 24 great races were played out. The accolades the team received on the track from the likes of Johnny Murtagh, Frankie Dettori, John Francome, Michael Dickinson and Ian Balding are a wonderful reward for all the lads.”

The success of the event had gone beyond the attendance figures, which, at over 80,000 were 7 per cent up on the last three-day Ebor Festival in 2007.

William Derby said: “We are delighted with the support from racegoers for the Ebor Festival. It has been a hugely enjoyable week and we are pleased with the level of attendance especially given the current economic climate, it is a different world from the environment of August 2007. What has been so gratifying is the appreciation and engagement of the crowd with the racing action. For example, on Tuesday in the Juddmonte International, I have never seen as many people around the paddock at York to see the runners, nor experienced the warmth of the reception that Sea The Stars (the highest rated horse in the world) got from the York crowd after the race – it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. The final day provided yet another highlight when Robin Bastiman returned to Yorkshire to defend the Coolmore Nunthorpe with Borderlescott at his local track, yet another great memory.”

He continued “We have said all week that, as this was the first ever four day Ebor Festival, we had no comparisons. However, the attendance is in line with our expectations in this economic climate. It provided an opportunity for 5,000 more racegoers to attend an Ebor Festival than in 2007 and follows a successful summer. Of course, we will review the week from all aspects in the coming months but we are very much looking forward to four days next year.”

It has always been important that the experience of going racing at York is a positive one and the ability to spread the crowd over four days has been welcomed by many visitors.

William Derby added that the Ebor Festival was not just about the action on the track, however, and had been successful in other respects too.

He said: “At the start of the week we were pleased to help the Injured Jockeys Fund raise £15,000 when we hosted the North v South Football match and our competition on Thursday for the Marriott Hotel Best Dressed Lady Racegoer title was keenly contested and ended with Natalie Fowler from York winning a trip to Dubai, and the fun we had with an official poet to the Ebor, Ian McMillan; launching our partnership with Saratoga Racecourse all played their part.”

“Our efforts to make racing more understandable, interesting and accessible is an area we work very hard. This includes innovations such as the trumpet fanfare for the feature race, weighing in the winning jockey in the parade ring, the leading jockey armband, the investment of time the team put into our racecard, the many interviews and information we broadcast on our four big screens and 400+ televisions helping to entertain and engage all racegoers in the racing experience. The innovations across the site including the new rose bar, cask theakston ale and dining facilities have been very well received.”

Reflecting further on the events of the week he said: “For obvious reasons I am proud of the team here for their hard work in delivering a successful Ebor Festival. I am grateful and appreciative of all the support we have received from racegoers, box holders and sponsors. We are honoured that connections of the marvellous thoroughbreds that we witnessed racing at York this week ran their horses with us. I’m already looking forward to next year”