The undoubted star of the 2022-23 season, National Hunt racing's flagship performer did not disappoint with a flawless campaign culminating in victories at both Cheltenham and Aintree. His Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdle triumphs ultimately served as a simple appetiser to the main course which came in the Champion Hurdle when he was crowned king in style. Nicky Henderson's charge then moved on to Liverpool where his all-the-way success in the Aintree Hurdle put the cherry on top of the cake.
After the excitement of the Ebor festival last week the following 7 days have felt relatively quiet, but that’s not to say the UK hasn’t seen it fair share of quality racing, the features race of the past week was held at Goodwood the Group 2 Celebration Mile
Another Ebor festival is in the books, the Flagship event the Ebor Handicap went to Ireland as the Johnny Murtagh trained Sonnyboyliston (Power) claimed the time honoured race and punched his ticket to the Melbourne Cup in the process
Friday gives us The third and final Group 1 of the week at York is the Nunthorpe Stakes, the 1000m dash down the York straight open to everyone including the 2yo’s.
Thursday means ladies day at York, headlined by the running of the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks over 2400m Open to fillies and Mares 3yo and up, bringing together the stars of the classic generation and the best of the tried and true staying mares.
Wednesday kicks off York’s four day Ebor festival, the highlight of the first day is the running of the first of 3 week Group 1 races of the week , The Juddmonte International Stakes, a weight for age event over 2000m,
This weekend saw the return of the Shergar Cup at Ascot , the much loved annual Jockeys teams event was put on hold last year due to COVID, this year it was the Ladies team captained by Hayley Turner who were successful
