York Racecourse Partners with Dubai Racing Club

York Racecourse will partner with Dubai Racing Club to allow automatic entry for the G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur winner to the G2 Dubai City of Gold, it has announced.

The G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur, staged on the opening day of the popular Sky Bet Ebor Festival, Wednesday 19 August, is a race with a rich history, having been first run in 1950. This year’s winner will receive free entry to the G2 Dubai City of Gold, run on Emirates Super Saturday, 27 February 2027, and air travel courtesy of Dubai Racing Club.

The G2 Dubai City of Gold, a notable prep race for the $6million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic, has its own superb roll of honour and was won last season by nine-time G1 winner Rebel’s Romance. Two horses, Postponed in 2016 and Old Persian in 2019, have won both the Great Voltigeur and the Dubai City of Gold.

Al Al Ali, CEO and Board Member, Dubai Racing Club, commented: "This partnership unites two iconic racecourses, building a seamless pathway for global excellence. By linking York Racecourse's Great Voltigeur with the Dubai City of Gold at Meydan, we are giving the winner of this year’s race a chance to compete on another global stage and perhaps to earn entry into the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night.

“We thank William Derby and his team for this opportunity and look forward to experiencing the thrills of York’s Ebor Meeting, as well as to welcoming them to Meydan Racecourse next year.”

On behalf of York Racecourse, William Derby, Chief Executive added; “York Racecourse is delighted at this latest connection to the global calendar that operates at the top level of horseracing. The Sky Bet Great Voltigeur is won by a three-year-old displaying great promise, it is fitting that connections have a smooth pathway to great occasions like Emirate Super Saturday. I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy the whole Dubai and Meydan experience, so would commend it”.

For more information, visit Dubairacingclub.com or yorkracecourse.co.uk