The return of the Premier League looks set to dominate the sporting headlines in the coming weeks as the big hitters return to the pitch. However, the racing world does its best to keep pace with a selection of titanic tussles on the turf. Saturday sees a quartet of Group class contests at Newbury and the Curragh, but next week’s Ebor Festival at York dominates much of the discussion.
Kicking off on Wednesday, the four-day fixture is amongst the seasonal highlights at the classiest track in the North. It lays on 28 cracking contests for our viewing and punting pleasure. All 28 have something to recommend them, with the signature Ebor Handicap on the concluding Saturday the star attraction from a punting perspective. The £500,000 prize money will ensure plenty of quality performers show up for that 1m6f contest, but for those looking to witness the crème de la crème, the meeting’s three Group 1s are where it’s at.
Invariably among the highest quality events of their type on the racing calendar, the Juddmonte International, Yorkshire Oaks, and Nunthorpe Stakes never fail to attract a star or two. Here, we take a look at the headline names we can expect to see strutting their stuff on the Knavesmire in 2024.
Juddmonte International Stakes – 3:35, Wednesday 21st August
We kick off with the big one and the undoubted star attraction of the entire meeting, as City Of Troy makes his fourth appearance of the season. Labelled by trainer Aidan O’Brien as potentially the greatest horse he has ever trained, the son of Justify hasn’t earned that accolade yet – but has made a pretty encouraging start. 2000 Guineas blip aside, the three-year-old has won his five other starts and arrives seeking a Group 1 hattrick following wins in the Epsom Derby and Coral-Eclipse. A win here would set up a sizzling clash with Economics in the Irish Champion Stakes.
Of course, there is no such thing as a one-horse race, and should City Of Troy perform below his best, a host of rivals are ready, willing, and able to take advantage. French raider Calandagan scorched the turf in a six-length demolition of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and looks well worth this crack at a Group 1; Alfaila is a dual course and distance winner, whilst Ghostwriter and Ambiente Friendly have only a couple of lengths to find with City Of Troy from their previous clashes this season.
Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks – 3:35, Thursday 22nd August
Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking also remains in the Juddmonte International field, but it would be a surprise if she didn’t tackle this 1m4f contest for the fillies and mares. Second three times in Group 1 company last season, the daughter of Camelot has rediscovered the winning thread as a four-year-old.
Slamming Free Wind in the Group 2 Middleton Fillies’ Stakes, she saw off Emily Upjohn for a first Group 1 win in the Pretty Polly Stakes before finishing best of the rest behind shock winner Goliath in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes last time – with Rebels Romance and Auguste Rodin among those in behind. A repeat of that Ascot outing would make her very tough to beat in this lineup.
Fellow four-year-old Queen Of The Pride is next in the betting following her win in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks, but eight of the past 10 editions of this have fallen to a three-year-old. Opera Singer is the clear pick of the Classic generation who remain in the race but is equally likely to head elsewhere. The pick of the youngsters likely to take their place in the lineup is Bluestocking’s stablemate You Got To Me, who deserves the utmost respect following her strong staying victory in the Irish Oaks.
Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes – 3:35, Friday 23rd August
Whilst the opening two Group 1s feature a standout favourite, that isn’t the case in the 5f feature on Friday afternoon. Instead, we get to savour Round 3 in the most compelling sprint rivalry of the season as Asfoora and Big Evs lock horns once more.
Australian mare Asfoora landed the knockout blow in the first meeting when storming home to land the King Charles III Stakes, with Big Evs back in third. However, Big Evs gained revenge in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood, when kicking for home first and just clinging on by a rapidly diminishing short head from the charging Asfoora.
King Charles III Stakes runner-up Regional, and King George Qatar Stakes third Believing, add depth to a quality field, but Bradsell may be the biggest danger to the top two in the market. Third, when drawn on the wrong side of the track last year, the 2023 King’s Stand winner showed plenty of sparkle at Deauville last time on his return from almost a year on the sidelines.