Ebor Festival 2026: Schedule, Race Times, Runners, Prize Money & TV

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Ebor Festival 2026 at York Racecourse
Horse Racing · Event Guide · Updated 19 August 2026

Ebor Festival 2026: Schedule, Race Times, Runners, Prize Money & TV

The Sky Bet Ebor Festival 2026 runs at York Racecourse from 19–22 August, bringing four days and 28 races to the Knavesmire. The meeting opens with the £1.5 million Juddmonte International, where defending champion Ombudsman faces unbeaten three-year-old Constitution River and dual York Group 2 winner Item. Thursday features the Yorkshire Oaks, followed by the Nunthorpe on Friday and the Group 1 City of York Stakes plus the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor on Saturday. This guide was fully updated on 19 August with the latest racecards, opening-day going, runners, TV information and festival status.

Dates 19–22 August 2026
Venue York Racecourse
Opening-Day Going Good
Latest Update 19 August 2026
Chapter 1

Ebor Festival 2026: Key Facts

York’s flagship Flat meeting runs from Wednesday 19 August to Saturday 22 August. The festival programme is confirmed, the opening-day racecard is final and the status of later races now varies according to the declaration timetable.

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Quick Summary

  • The Sky Bet Ebor Festival 2026 runs from 19–22 August at York Racecourse.
  • There are 28 races across four days, with seven races scheduled each afternoon.
  • Gates open at 11:00am, with the first race at 1:50pm and the last at 5:20pm.
  • York reported the opening-day going as Good at 8:30am on 19 August.
  • Total festival prize money is a record just under £7.5 million.
  • There is a Group 1 race on every festival day.
  • The £1.5 million Juddmonte International has nine runners, including Ombudsman, Constitution River and Item.
  • ITV shows the first five races each day, while Racing TV covers all 28 races live.

When and where is the Ebor Festival 2026?

The Ebor Festival takes place at York Racecourse from Wednesday 19 August through Saturday 22 August 2026. It is the centrepiece of York’s Flat racing season and combines elite Group races with major handicaps, juvenile contests and staying races.

Wednesday 19 August Juddmonte International Day
Thursday 20 August Yorkshire Oaks & Ladies Day
Friday 21 August Coolmore Nunthorpe Day
Saturday 22 August Sky Bet Ebor Day
Gates Open 11:00am daily
First / Last Race 1:50pm / 5:20pm
Short answer: The Ebor Festival 2026 began on Wednesday 19 August and runs through Saturday 22 August. York schedules seven races per day, producing 28 races across the four-day meeting.

Latest Festival Status on 19 August

The festival has moved beyond the early entry and running-plan stage. Wednesday’s opening card is confirmed, while Thursday’s headline Yorkshire Oaks has nine horses listed on the current racecard. Friday and Saturday still contain larger entry lists at the time of this full update.

York reported the ground as Good at 8:30am on Wednesday morning. Going, non-runners and race-day conditions can still change during the meeting, so readers looking for last-minute information should check the official racecourse and latest racecards.

Important distinction:

Confirmed Wednesday runners are treated as final racecard runners. For later days, this guide distinguishes between horses already shown on current racecards and horses still appearing on broader entry lists. That avoids presenting Friday or Saturday entries as confirmed runners before the relevant declaration stage.

Full update: 19 August 2026

This guide has been refreshed for the start of the festival with the opening-day going, confirmed Juddmonte International field, current Yorkshire Oaks racecard, later-week entry status, TV coverage, ticket information and updated race analysis.

Sources checked 19 August 2026: York Racecourse, official Going Report, official Order of Running, Racing TV racecards.

Chapter 2

Ebor Festival 2026: Full Schedule and Race Times

The 2026 Ebor Festival features 28 races across four days. The daily rhythm remains consistent: seven races, the first at 1:50pm and the last at 5:20pm.

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At a glance: Racing begins at 1:50pm every day. The weekday Group 1 races are scheduled for 3:35pm, while Saturday’s Sky Bet City of York Stakes starts at 3:00pm before the Sky Bet Ebor at 3:35pm.

Wednesday 19 August – Juddmonte International Day

The festival opens with a confirmed seven-race card headed by the £1.5 million Juddmonte International. The supporting programme includes the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes and Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes, while the first five races are shown live on ITV.

Opening-day status:

York reported Good going at 8:30am on Wednesday morning. The Juddmonte International has nine runners on the final racecard.

The table can be scrolled horizontally on smaller screens.

Time Race Type Age Distance Prize Money TV
1:50pm Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Stakes Heritage Handicap 4+ 5½f £135,000 ITV
2:25pm Tattersalls Acomb Stakes Group 3 2yo 7f £175,000 ITV
3:00pm Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes Group 2 3yo colts & geldings 1m 4f £250,000 ITV
3:35pm Juddmonte International Stakes Group 1 3+ 1m 2f 56y £1,500,000 ITV
4:10pm Sky Bet Stayers Stakes Heritage Handicap 3+ 2m £100,000 ITV
4:45pm Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Stakes Heritage Handicap 3yo 5f £100,000 Racing TV
5:20pm Sky Bet Nursery Handicap Handicap 2yo 6f £100,000 Racing TV

Thursday 20 August – Yorkshire Oaks & Ladies Day

Thursday combines one of the festival’s major social occasions with the Group 1 Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks. Kalpana heads the nine horses currently shown on the Yorkshire Oaks racecard alongside returning winner Minnie Hauk and Irish Oaks winner Johanna Walsh.

Time Race Type Age Distance Prize Money TV
1:50pm Sky Bet Lowther Stakes Group 2 2yo fillies 6f £250,000 ITV
2:25pm Harry’s Half Million by Goffs Stakes 2yo race 2yo 6f £500,000 ITV
3:00pm Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 in 7 Grand Finale Stakes Heritage Handicap 3+ 1m £150,000 ITV
3:35pm Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks Group 1 3+ fillies & mares 1m 4f £600,000 ITV
4:10pm British EBF and Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes Listed 3+ fillies & mares 1m 4f £100,000 ITV
4:45pm Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap 2yo 7f £100,000 Racing TV
5:20pm British EBF Fillies’ Handicap Handicap 3+ fillies & mares 7f £100,000 Racing TV

Friday 21 August – Coolmore Nunthorpe Day

Friday is built around speed, with the five-furlong Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes as the Group 1 centrepiece. The Lonsdale Cup and Gimcrack Stakes provide Group 2 support. At the time of this article’s 19 August update, Friday’s Racing TV listings still showed broader entry fields rather than final race-day cards.

Time Race Type Age Distance Prize Money TV
1:50pm Sky Bet Mile Stakes Heritage Handicap 3yo 1m £100,000 ITV
2:25pm Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Group 2 3+ 2m £250,000 ITV
3:00pm Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes Group 2 2yo colts & geldings 6f £250,000 ITV
3:35pm Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes Group 1 2+ 5f £600,000 ITV
4:10pm Assured Data Protection Stakes Heritage Handicap 3+ 1m 4f £120,000 ITV
4:45pm British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes Maiden 2yo 7f £100,000 Racing TV
5:20pm Sky Bet EBF Fillies Stakes Handicap 3yo fillies 1m 2f £100,000 Racing TV
Declaration status: Friday’s published Racing TV lists still contained large entry fields when this article was fully updated on 19 August. Horses discussed later in this guide should therefore be treated as entries or contenders unless shown on the final racecard.

Saturday 22 August – Sky Bet Ebor Day

The final afternoon combines the £600,000 Group 1 Sky Bet City of York Stakes at 3:00pm with the historic £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor just 35 minutes later. Saturday’s broader lists were still at the entry stage when this guide was fully updated.

Time Race Type Age Distance Prize Money TV
1:50pm Sky Bet Strensall Stakes Group 3 3+ 1m 1f £175,000 ITV
2:25pm Sky Bet Melrose Stakes Heritage Handicap 3yo 1m 6f £180,000 ITV
3:00pm Sky Bet City of York Stakes Group 1 3+ 7f £600,000 ITV
3:35pm Sky Bet Ebor Heritage Handicap 4+ 1m 6f £500,000 ITV
4:10pm Sky Bet Constantine Stakes Heritage Handicap 3+ 6f See official listing ITV
4:45pm Julia Graves Roses Stakes Listed 2yo 5f £100,000 Racing TV
5:20pm Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Stakes Heritage Handicap 3+ 1m 2f £100,000 Racing TV
Constantine Stakes prize-money note: York’s live Order of Running has displayed an unusually low figure for the 4:10pm Constantine Stakes compared with surrounding Heritage Handicaps. Rather than present a potentially misleading purse as settled fact, readers should use York’s live listing for the latest official figure.

Schedule checked 19 August 2026: York Racecourse – official Order of Running. Race times and programme details remain subject to late official changes.

Chapter 3

Major Races and Group 1 Highlights

For the first time, every day of the Ebor Festival features a Group 1. The opening-day Juddmonte field is confirmed, Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks racecard is substantially formed, while Friday and Saturday still require more caution.

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Juddmonte International Stakes 2026

DateWednesday 19 August
Time3:35pm
Prize Money£1.5 million
Distance1m 2f 56y
GradeGroup 1
Field9 runners

The Juddmonte International is the financial and sporting centrepiece of the opening day. Its £1.5 million purse makes the 2026 renewal the richest race ever staged at York.

The final racecard is headed by defending champion Ombudsman, unbeaten three-year-old Constitution River and dual York Group 2 winner Item. The nine-runner field is completed by Almaqam, Devil’s Advocate, Pride Of Arras, Zaydann, Action and Hawk Mountain.

The table can be scrolled horizontally on smaller screens.

No. Horse Trainer Jockey Draw
1AlmaqamEd WalkerKieran Shoemark4
2Devil’s AdvocateJohn & Thady GosdenRobert Havlin6
3OmbudsmanJohn & Thady GosdenWilliam Buick1
4Pride Of ArrasRalph BeckettRossa Ryan5
5ZaydannFrancis-Henri GraffardMickael Barzalona9
6ActionAidan O’BrienRonan Whelan8
7Constitution RiverAidan O’BrienRyan Moore7
8Hawk MountainAidan O’BrienWayne Lordan3
9ItemAndrew BaldingColin Keane2
Race analysis:

Ombudsman brings the strongest proven York and top-level profile and returns to defend his title from stall one. Constitution River supplies the major three-year-old challenge after an unbeaten campaign, while Item brings two Group 2 victories over this course and distance. The race therefore revolves around the proven champion, an unbeaten younger rival and a highly credible York specialist.

Yorkshire Oaks 2026

DateThursday 20 August
Time3:35pm
Prize Money£600,000
Distance1m 4f
EligibilityFillies & mares
Current Racecard9 horses listed

The Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks is one of the most important middle-distance races for fillies and mares in the British season. The current racecard lists nine horses and brings together established Group 1 performers with leading three-year-olds.

Kalpana arrives after her King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes success. She faces returning Yorkshire Oaks winner Minnie Hauk and Irish Oaks winner Johanna Walsh.

The other horses currently listed are Tattycoram, Earth Shot, Inis Mor, Legacy Link, Sparan Nua and Sugar Island.

What to watch:

Kalpana sets a demanding standard after her King George success, but the race has considerable depth. Minnie Hauk has already demonstrated Group 1 form at York, while Johanna Walsh represents a progressive Classic generation. Their different profiles make Thursday’s feature an important comparison between established and developing middle-distance form.

Nunthorpe Stakes 2026

DateFriday 21 August
Time3:35pm
Prize Money£600,000
Distance5f
Eligibility2yo and older
StatusEntries published

The Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes is the festival’s pure speed test. The published entry picture on 19 August still contained a broad group of possible runners, including defending champion Asfoora.

The race is unusual because juveniles can meet older sprinters over the minimum trip. At five furlongs, reaction time, early speed, track position, the draw and the prevailing going can all have an outsized influence on the result.

Declaration status: This guide was fully updated on 19 August, before Friday’s final race-day field was available. Names discussed here should therefore be treated as entries or contenders unless subsequently confirmed on the official racecard.

Sky Bet City of York Stakes 2026

DateSaturday 22 August
Time3:00pm
Prize Money£600,000
Distance7f
GradeGroup 1
StatusEntries published

The City of York Stakes gives the final afternoon its own Group 1 and provides an unusual seven-furlong championship test for horses arriving from both sprint and mile programmes.

Flora Of Bermuda remained among the significant Saturday entries when this guide was updated. Earlier trainer comments identified the dual York winner as a clear target for the race.

Declaration status: Saturday’s published list remained an entry list on 19 August. Final participation can change before race day, so this guide does not label the Saturday contenders as confirmed runners.

Major-race information checked 19 August 2026: Racing TV – Juddmonte International racecard, Racing TV – Yorkshire Oaks racecard, York Racecourse – Order of Running.

Chapter 4

Ebor Festival Runners, Declarations and Latest Entries

The declaration picture now differs by day. Wednesday has a final racecard, Thursday’s headline race has a current nine-horse racecard, while Friday and Saturday still contain larger entry lists at the time of this update.

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Confirmed and expected runners

Horse Race Status on 19 August Key Point
Ombudsman Juddmonte International Confirmed runner Defending champion; draw 1
Constitution River Juddmonte International Confirmed runner Unbeaten three-year-old; draw 7
Item Juddmonte International Confirmed runner Dual Group 2 course-and-distance winner; draw 2
Almaqam Juddmonte International Confirmed runner Draw 4; Kieran Shoemark rides
Kalpana Yorkshire Oaks Current racecard King George winner
Minnie Hauk Yorkshire Oaks Current racecard Returning Yorkshire Oaks winner
Johanna Walsh Yorkshire Oaks Current racecard Irish Oaks winner
Asfoora Nunthorpe Stakes Entry Defending champion remains in wider Friday picture
Flora Of Bermuda City of York Stakes Entry / intended Strong earlier trainer intention
Tarriance Sky Bet Ebor Entry / intended Long-term Ebor target
Hopewell Rock Sky Bet Ebor Entry / intended Prepared with York in mind
Gamrai Sky Bet Ebor Entry / intended Previously identified as likely runner

Declaration status by festival day

Wednesday 19 August

Final racecard available. The opening day’s runners, jockeys and draws are published, including a nine-runner Juddmonte International.

Thursday 20 August

Current racecards available. Nine horses are listed in the Yorkshire Oaks, headed by Kalpana, Minnie Hauk and Johanna Walsh.

Friday 21 August

Broader entries still shown at the time of this article’s 19 August update. The final race-day picture can therefore change.

Saturday 22 August

Broader entries still shown, including for the City of York Stakes and Sky Bet Ebor.

For readers: A horse appearing in a Friday or Saturday entry list should not automatically be treated as a confirmed runner. Late declarations, withdrawals and going-related decisions can still alter those fields after this article’s final full update.
Chapter 5

Sky Bet Ebor 2026: Contenders, Format and Analysis

The £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor is York’s oldest and most famous race and the defining handicap of Saturday afternoon. At the time of this guide’s 19 August update, the published Saturday list had not yet reached final racecard status, so the contenders below remain subject to declaration.

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Sky Bet Ebor 2026 race details

DateSaturday 22 August
Time3:35pm
Prize Money£500,000
Distance1m 6f
Age4yo+
TypeHeritage Handicap

The Ebor is fundamentally different from the festival’s Group 1 races. Horses carry different weights according to their handicap ratings, creating a more complex relationship between raw ability, weight, stamina and race position.

The winner also has an important international incentive through York’s relationship with the Victoria Racing Club and the Melbourne Cup pathway.

Leading Ebor contenders from the current entry picture

Tarriance

Andrew Balding has described the 2025 Melrose winner as a leading Ebor contender. The same 1m 6f York trip is an obvious positive, and the horse has been prepared with the Ebor firmly in mind.

Hopewell Rock

George Boughey has been preparing Hopewell Rock with York in mind after his strong staying-handicap form. He remains an interesting name within the wider entry picture.

Gamrai

Gamrai has also featured prominently in the build-up after joining George Scott’s stable and bringing competitive staying-handicap form into the Ebor discussion.

Further contenders

The published Saturday entry list remains much wider than the eventual field. That makes it important to separate horses with clear long-term Ebor plans from those simply remaining eligible at this stage.

What usually matters in a race like the Ebor?

Stamina is essential but not sufficient. A horse must travel efficiently through a large and competitive handicap field, avoid losing valuable ground and still have enough in reserve for York’s long home straight.

The handicap itself creates another variable. A progressive horse carrying a favourable weight can potentially bridge the gap to runners with stronger established form.

Current Ebor view:

Tarriance remains one of the most interesting profiles because the Ebor has been a long-term objective and he already has winning form over York’s 1m 6f trip. Hopewell Rock and Gamrai also bring clear staying-handicap credentials. However, no strong final selection should be presented from a 19 August snapshot because the eventual field, weights, draw, pace and race-day ground can materially change the handicap.

Chapter 6

Ebor Festival 2026 Prize Money and International Importance

York is offering a record festival prize fund of just under £7.5 million. The investment extends well beyond the four Group 1 races and helps make the Ebor Festival one of the richest meetings of the British Flat season.

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Race Grade / Type Prize Money
Juddmonte International Group 1 £1,500,000
Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks Group 1 £600,000
Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes Group 1 £600,000
Sky Bet City of York Stakes Group 1 £600,000
Sky Bet Ebor Heritage Handicap £500,000
Harry’s Half Million by Goffs 2yo race £500,000

Why York’s international links matter

The three weekday Group 1 races are part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. York also operates international links involving major races and racing organisations in Japan, Australia, Ireland, Bahrain, Dubai and the United States.

The Juddmonte International and Yorkshire Oaks are linked to significant Japan Racing Association incentives, while the Sky Bet Ebor has Melbourne Cup significance through its ballot-exempt status. The Nunthorpe winner also receives a pathway to the Flying Five at the Curragh.

Strategic importance:

The Ebor Festival is no longer simply a high-value domestic meeting. Prize money, international bonuses, World Pool and qualification pathways connect York directly to major races elsewhere in the global Flat calendar.

Prize-money and international-link information rechecked 19 August 2026: York Racecourse – Festival Preview.

Chapter 7

How to Watch the Ebor Festival 2026: TV and Live Streaming

British viewers can follow the meeting through ITV and Racing TV. York confirms five races live on the ITV main channel on each festival day, while Racing TV covers the complete 28-race meeting.

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Free-to-AirITV main channel
ITV CoverageFirst 5 races daily
Full MeetingRacing TV
Racing TVAll 28 races live
Opening ShowLive from York on Saturday
InternationalWorldwide distribution
Short answer: You can watch the Ebor Festival 2026 on ITV and Racing TV in the UK. ITV shows the first five races on each of the four days, while Racing TV covers all 28 races live.

Major races on ITV

Day Feature Race Time Coverage
WednesdayJuddmonte International3:35pmITV
ThursdayYorkshire Oaks3:35pmITV
FridayNunthorpe Stakes3:35pmITV
SaturdayCity of York Stakes3:00pmITV
SaturdaySky Bet Ebor3:35pmITV

Racing TV covers all 28 races

Racing TV provides the complete meeting, including the sixth and seventh races after ITV’s daily five-race window. York says Nick Luck and Lydia Hislop front the specialist channel’s festival coverage, including Mark Your Card live from the track each day.

York also expects significant international distribution, with coverage reaching major racing markets including Australia, the United States, Japan, Dubai and much of continental Europe. Exact local availability varies by territory.

Broadcast reminder: The race-by-race television allocation is confirmed by York’s current information, but programme timings around the racing itself can still change.

Broadcast information checked 19 August 2026: York Racecourse – Festival Preview, official Order of Running.

Chapter 8

Ebor Festival 2026 Tickets and Enclosures

York offers several admission areas with different views, facilities and dress expectations. Availability now varies by festival day, so racegoers should check the current official sales status before travelling.

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County Stand

York’s premier enclosure offers elevated viewing, access to additional bars and hospitality areas and the meeting’s most formal dress requirements.

Grandstand & Paddock

A less formal option with trackside viewing, access to Parade Ring areas and a broad range of racecourse facilities.

Current ticket status

York lists Wednesday admission as available for purchase on the day. At the time of the 19 August update, Thursday, Friday and Saturday were still shown as on sale through the official ticket system.

Clocktower Enclosure

Clocktower Enclosure admission is not sold in advance. York says it is available from gates opening on the raceday on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ticket update – 19 August: Availability differs by day and enclosure. York’s live ticket pages should be checked before travelling because sales status can change during festival week.
Chapter 9

York Racecourse Visitor Guide

Racegoers should plan around the 11:00am gate opening, enclosure-specific dress requirements and heavy festival traffic around the Knavesmire.

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What time do the gates open?

York opens the gates at 11:00am on all four Ebor Festival days. The first race is scheduled for 1:50pm, leaving almost three hours for racegoers to enter, explore the course and watch horses in the Parade Ring before racing begins.

Gates11:00am
First Race1:50pm
Last Race5:20pm
Opening-day going: York reported the going as Good at 8:30am on Wednesday 19 August. Conditions can change during the four-day meeting.

Ebor Festival dress code

The dress rules depend on the enclosure. In the County Stand, gentlemen and those identifying as such are required to wear a jacket, collared shirt and tie; a cravat is accepted as an alternative to a tie.

The Grandstand & Paddock and Clocktower Enclosure are more relaxed. York says shorts and T-shirts are commonly worn there in warm weather, subject to normal standards of taste and decency.

Dress-code summary: County Stand = formal. Grandstand & Paddock and Clocktower = considerably more relaxed. Check York’s latest advice if extreme weather is forecast, as the racecourse can occasionally relax formal requirements.

Getting to York Racecourse

York Racecourse is located on the Knavesmire and can be reached from York city centre by bus, taxi, on foot or by car. Visitors arriving by train can use the dedicated racecourse shuttle.

The 197 Shuttle Bus links York Railway Station with the racecourse. York’s visitor information says outbound services operate from Stand RJ opposite the station entrance between 11:00am and 1:00pm, with return buses running from the racecourse from 4:00pm onwards.

Travel tip: Ebor Festival days are among York’s busiest race meetings. Allow additional time for road traffic, queues and movement around the station and racecourse.
Chapter 10

Ebor Festival 2026 Predictions and Races to Watch

The opening-day picture is now strong enough for meaningful runner-based analysis, while later festival races still require more caution because not every Friday and Saturday field was final when this guide was updated.

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Race Current Storyline Editorial View
Juddmonte International Ombudsman bids to defend his title against unbeaten three-year-old Constitution River, with Item bringing proven York form. Ombudsman sets the established standard, with Constitution River the major threat.
Yorkshire Oaks King George winner Kalpana meets returning Yorkshire Oaks winner Minnie Hauk and Irish Oaks winner Johanna Walsh. Kalpana is the horse to beat on her strongest recent form.
Nunthorpe A potentially deep sprint remains in prospect, with defending champion Asfoora among the published entries. Best assessed after the final field and draw.
City of York Stakes The seven-furlong Group 1 remains one of Saturday’s most intriguing races. Final declarations remain important before making a strong selection.
Sky Bet Ebor Tarriance, Hopewell Rock and Gamrai have all featured prominently in the build-up. Tarriance has an attractive long-term-target profile, but the handicap should not be treated as settled before declarations.
Juddmonte International prediction:

Ombudsman is the narrow editorial preference. He is the defending champion, has already demonstrated elite form over York’s ten-furlong test and arrives with fewer questions to answer than most of the field. Constitution River is the obvious danger because his unbeaten three-year-old campaign gives him significant upside, while Item is the strongest candidate to challenge the headline pair if either underperforms.

Yorkshire Oaks prediction:

Kalpana earns preference after defeating high-class male opposition in the King George. Minnie Hauk has the York record to make her dangerous if returning to her best, and Johanna Walsh is the progressive three-year-old with further upside.

Prediction policy: Friday and Saturday recommendations remain deliberately more cautious because this article is designed to remain useful through the full festival without requiring another full update after 19 August. Final declarations and race-day conditions can materially change those races.
Chapter 11

Ebor Festival 2026 FAQ

Quick answers to the most important questions about dates, race times, runners, TV coverage, going, tickets and the major races at York.

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When is the Ebor Festival 2026?

The Sky Bet Ebor Festival runs from Wednesday 19 August to Saturday 22 August 2026 at York Racecourse.

What time does racing start at the Ebor Festival?

Gates open at 11:00am each day. The first race is scheduled for 1:50pm and the final race for 5:20pm.

What is the going at York for the Ebor Festival?

York reported the going as Good at 8:30am on Wednesday 19 August. Going can change during the meeting, so racegoers and bettors should check the latest official report before each raceday.

Who is running in the Juddmonte International 2026?

The nine-runner field is Almaqam, Devil’s Advocate, Ombudsman, Pride Of Arras, Zaydann, Action, Constitution River, Hawk Mountain and Item.

When is the Sky Bet Ebor 2026?

The Sky Bet Ebor is scheduled for 3:35pm on Saturday 22 August. It is a 1m 6f Heritage Handicap for horses aged four and older and carries £500,000 in prize money.

How can I watch the Ebor Festival 2026?

ITV shows the first five races on each of the four festival days. Racing TV covers all 28 races live.

Are all Ebor Festival 2026 runners confirmed?

No. Wednesday’s final racecard is available and Thursday’s headline race has a current racecard, but Friday and Saturday entry lists were still broader and subject to final declaration when this guide received its full update on 19 August.

Chapter 12

Latest Ebor Festival 2026 Updates

This guide received a full festival-start update on Wednesday 19 August. Later withdrawals, going changes and declarations remain possible, but the article deliberately preserves the distinction between confirmed runners and later-week entries.

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Latest full content update: 19 August 2026

The guide has been refreshed for the opening day with confirmed Wednesday racecards, the latest opening-day going, the current Yorkshire Oaks racecard, later-week declaration status, TV details, ticket information and updated race analysis.

Key developments included in this update

  • York reported Good going at 8:30am on Wednesday 19 August.
  • The Juddmonte International has nine runners.
  • Ombudsman starts from stall 1 with William Buick.
  • Constitution River is partnered by Ryan Moore from stall 7.
  • Item starts from stall 2 with Colin Keane.
  • Nine horses are currently listed on the Yorkshire Oaks racecard, headed by Kalpana, Minnie Hauk and Johanna Walsh.
  • Friday and Saturday names are still treated as entries where final race-day cards were not available at the time of this full update.
  • ITV shows five races per day and Racing TV covers the complete 28-race meeting.

What can still change after this update?

Friday and Saturday declarations

Later-week entry lists can still contract significantly before the final racecards are published.

Non-runners

Even horses shown on a racecard can be withdrawn because of ground, veterinary issues or other late circumstances.

Going

The opening-morning description was Good, but weather and racing can alter conditions during the four-day festival.

Market prices

Betting markets move continuously and are therefore deliberately not presented as fixed facts in this festival-wide guide.

Editorial note:

This article is designed as a festival-wide guide rather than a live blog. Information confirmed by 19 August is stated directly, while later-week races are clearly labelled where the final declaration stage had not yet been reached.

Final full facts check: 19 August 2026. Primary sources: York Racecourse, Going Report, Order of Running, Festival Preview, Racing TV Racecards, Tickets & Pricing.


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