The York Ebor Festival is always the most anticipated meeting of the year on the northern racing scene and invariably delivers. The 2024 edition was no exception, with the four-day fixture providing a host of contests which will linger long in the memory.
From the brilliance of City Of Troy on the opening day to Magical Zoe landing a colossal gamble in the headline handicap on day four and plenty in between, the meeting was peppered with highlights.
As always, the leading lights were all in attendance at York as the big hitters battled it out for prestige and prize money. Here, we look back at the trainers, jockeys, owners, and sires who fared best of all in sunny Yorkshire.
Top Trainer: Aidan O’Brien – 4 Wins
Another major UK meeting and Irish maestro Aidan O’Brien finished on top of the pile yet again. However, the home team made a decent fist of it, with Andrew Balding and Ed Walker picking up three wins each and William Haggas and John & Sean Quinn bagging a double.
O’Brien did most of the damage on the opening day. There were three Group class contests to play for on Wednesday, and Aidan won them all. The Lion In Winter is a name to note for the 2025 Classics following his impressive juvenile-course-record-breaking performance in the Acomb Stakes, whilst Los Angeles added to his solid Irish Derby win with another no-frills performance in the Great Voltigeur and could head to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. But, of course, the brutal front-running performance of City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International stole the show. Smashing the course record of Sea The Stars, the son of Justify delivered on the hype in style. O’Brien completed his quartet with Content’s win in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks on Day 2 but drew a blank on Days 3 and 4.
Andrew Balding didn’t get going until the second half of the meeting, with Cool Hand Luke’s speedy display in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes, See The Fire’s classy effort in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes, and Tropical Storm’s trailblazing triumph in the Listed Julie Graves Roses Stakes providing the Kingsclere handler with a pattern race treble.
Ed Walker grabbed a big Group 2 success courtesy of Celandine, who enjoyed being back in against her own sex in the Lowther Stakes. Scenic then took his form to another level in the Listed British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes to provide Walker with a Day 2 double before Canoodled made it three when upsetting the odds in a Fillies Handicap on Day 3.
Top Jockey: Ryan Moore – 5 Wins
Whenever Aidan O’Brien tops the trainer's table, Ryan Moore will inevitably feature towards the summit among the riders. And such was the case at York. Aboard all four O’Brien winners, Moore made it five when partnering the Richard Hannon-trained Angel Hunter to a narrow victory in the Nursery Handicap on Day 2.
That last success saw Moore pip Oisin Murphy for the top spot. Having tied with Moore at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, the hot favourite for the Champion Jockey title kept the good times rolling with four wins. The man in the saddle for all three of Andrew Balding’s winners, Murphy also combined with Ed Walker to inspire Scenic to success.
Tom Marquand was another to enjoy a productive week, with the pick of his three wins coming aboard Celandine in the Lowther, whilst David Egan and Rossa Ryan each registered a brace at the meeting.
Leading Sire: Camelot, Havana Grey, Justify, and Sea The Stars – 2 Wins
There was no real standout amongst the sires this year, with the 28 races split between 24 different sires.
Well respected for imparting stamina into his progeny, Camelot’s two wins were provided by Los Angeles in the 1m4f Great Voltigeur and Tabletalk in the Melrose Handicap over 1m6f.
Strong speed influence Havana Grey stuck to the script in siring Star Of Lady M to land the Fillies’ Handicap on the opening day, with his second win provided by another filly, Alfa Kellenic, in the 7f finale on Day 2.
City Of Troy’s Juddmonte International victory bolstered the growing reputation of Justify, with Angelo Buonarroti’s maiden success on Day 3 adding a little gloss to the week for the US Triple Crown winner.
Having finished joint top of the standings at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, the enduring class of Sea The Stars was illustrated by The Lion In Winter in the Acomb Stakes and See The Fire in the Strensall Stakes.
Leading Owner: Coolmore– 4 Wins
An impressive collection of famous silks made their way to the Winner's Enclosure, including those of Jeff Smith and Amo Racing. However, only one ownership group hit the target more than once – Coolmore.
The engine which powers the Ballydoyle operation, Coolmore enjoyed a memorable week thanks to The Lion In Winter, Los Angeles, City Of Troy, and Content.
Punter Friendly Final Day Sees Backers Edge the Bookies
When all was said and done, eight of 28 market leaders came home in front, handing supporters of the market leader a profit of £2 to £1 level stakes. However, those employing a favourite backing strategy were made to sweat, with four of those winning favourites coming on the closing day – headlined by significant gamble Magical Zoe in the Ebor Handicap.
Overall, 20 of 28 winners returned a single-figure SP, and five were in the 10/1 – 14/1 range. The biggest shock came courtesy of the 33/1 chance Breege in the City Of York Stakes on Day 4.
Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.
Paul Harrison
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