Ebor Festival 2026: Schedule, Race Times, Runners, Prize Money & TV
Ebor Festival 2026: Key Facts
York’s flagship Flat meeting runs from Wednesday 19 August to Saturday 22 August. The programme is confirmed, prize money is at a record level and trainers are now revealing increasingly specific running plans.
Quick Summary
- The Sky Bet Ebor Festival 2026 takes place 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.
- Total prize money is at a record level of just under £7.5 million.
- There is a Group 1 race on every festival day.
- The £1.5 million Juddmonte International is the richest race ever staged at York.
- Saturday features the £600,000 Sky Bet City of York Stakes and the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor.
- ITV shows the first five races on 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.
Current Status: Entries, Running Plans and Final Runners
With less than a week to go, the festival picture is significantly clearer than it was at the beginning of August. York has now published several trainer updates naming horses being actively prepared for individual races.
That does not mean every horse mentioned is a confirmed starter. Final declarations, jockey bookings, draw positions, going conditions and late withdrawals still need to be monitored.
An entry means a horse remains eligible for a race. A trainer’s running plan provides stronger evidence of intent. A final declaration is the stage at which the racecard becomes much more reliable for betting and tactical analysis.
This guide now incorporates York’s latest trainer updates from 11 and 12 August. The next major update should come once final fields, jockeys and draws are confirmed.
Sources checked 13 August 2026: York Racecourse – Ebor Festival, official Order of Running, official Festival Preview, latest trainer running plans.
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.
Wednesday 19 August – Juddmonte International Day
The opening afternoon is headed by the £1.5 million Juddmonte International, supported by the Great Voltigeur Stakes and Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.
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 | ITV1 |
| 2:25pm | Tattersalls Acomb Stakes | Group 3 | 2yo | 7f | £175,000 | ITV1 |
| 3:00pm | Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes | Group 2 | 3yo colts & geldings | 1m 4f | £250,000 | ITV1 |
| 3:35pm | Juddmonte International Stakes | Group 1 | 3+ | 1m 2f | £1,500,000 | ITV1 |
| 4:10pm | Sky Bet Stayers Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 3+ | 2m | £100,000 | ITV1 |
| 4:45pm | Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 3yo | 5f | £100,000 | Racing TV |
| 5:20pm | Sky Bet Nursery Handicap | Heritage 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. The £500,000 Harry’s Half Million by Goffs Stakes is another major financial highlight.
| Time | Race | Type | Age | Distance | Prize Money | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:50pm | Sky Bet Lowther Stakes | Group 2 | 2yo fillies | 6f | £250,000 | ITV1 |
| 2:25pm | Harry’s Half Million by Goffs Stakes | Handicap | 2yo | 6f | £500,000 | ITV1 |
| 3:00pm | Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 in 7 Grand Finale Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 3+ | 1m | £150,000 | ITV1 |
| 3:35pm | Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks | Group 1 | 3+ fillies & mares | 1m 4f | £600,000 | ITV1 |
| 4:10pm | British EBF and Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes | Listed | 3+ fillies & mares | 1m 4f | £100,000 | ITV1 |
| 4:45pm | Mews Hotel Ossett ebfstallions Nursery Handicap | Heritage Handicap | 2yo | 7f | £100,000 | Racing TV |
| 5:20pm | British EBF Fillies’ Handicap | Heritage Handicap | 3+ fillies & mares | 7f | £100,000 | Racing TV |
Friday 21 August – Coolmore Nunthorpe Day
Friday is built around speed. The five-furlong Nunthorpe is the Group 1 centrepiece, while the Lonsdale Cup and Gimcrack Stakes provide Group 2 support over very different distances.
| Time | Race | Type | Age | Distance | Prize Money | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:50pm | Sky Bet Mile Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 3yo | 1m | £100,000 | ITV1 |
| 2:25pm | Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup | Group 2 | 3+ | 2m | £250,000 | ITV1 |
| 3:00pm | Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes | Group 2 | 2yo colts & geldings | 6f | £250,000 | ITV1 |
| 3:35pm | Nunthorpe Stakes | Group 1 | 2+ | 5f | £600,000 | ITV1 |
| 4:10pm | Assured Data Protection Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 3+ | 1m 4f | £120,000 | ITV1 |
| 4:45pm | British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes | Maiden | 2yo | 7f | £100,000 | Racing TV |
| 5:20pm | Sky Bet EBF Fillies Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 3yo fillies | 1m 2f | £100,000 | Racing TV |
Saturday 22 August – Sky Bet Ebor Day
The final afternoon combines the newly upgraded Group 1 City of York Stakes at 3:00pm with the historic Sky Bet Ebor just 35 minutes later.
| Time | Race | Type | Age | Distance | Prize Money | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:50pm | Sky Bet Strensall Stakes | Group 3 | 3+ | 1m 1f | £175,000 | ITV1 |
| 2:25pm | Sky Bet Melrose Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 3yo | 1m 6f | £180,000 | ITV1 |
| 3:00pm | Sky Bet City of York Stakes | Group 1 | 3+ | 7f | £600,000 | ITV1 |
| 3:35pm | Sky Bet Ebor | Heritage Handicap | 4+ | 1m 6f | £500,000 | ITV1 |
| 4:10pm | Sky Bet Constantine Stakes | Heritage Handicap | 3+ | 6f | Prize money to be rechecked | ITV1 |
| 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 |
Schedule checked 13 August 2026: York Racecourse – official Order of Running. Times, race names and fields remain subject to late official changes.
Major Races and Group 1 Highlights
For the first time, every day of the Ebor Festival features a Group 1. That gives the meeting four very different top-level tests from ten furlongs down to a pure five-furlong sprint.
Juddmonte International Stakes 2026
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 on the Knavesmire.
Ombudsman is being prepared by John and Thady Gosden to defend the title he won in 2025. York also continues to highlight Constitution River, while Andrew Balding has stated that Item is ready to line up.
Ombudsman brings proven top-level York form, while Item has already won twice over course and distance at Group 2 level. If Constitution River also takes his place, the race could provide one of the festival’s clearest clashes between a leading older horse and elite three-year-old form.
Yorkshire Oaks 2026
The Yorkshire Oaks brings together leading three-year-old fillies and established older mares over a mile and a half. The race is one of the most important middle-distance contests for fillies and mares in the British season.
A major new development is the intended participation of Kalpana. Andrew Balding says the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner is being trained for York, subject to an important final piece of work going to plan.
Kalpana’s participation would materially change the strength of the race. The key distinction for now is that she is being prepared for York rather than being an irrevocably confirmed runner.
Nunthorpe Stakes 2026
The Nunthorpe is the festival’s pure speed test. Earlier official entries included defending champion Asfoora, American-trained Royal Ascot winner Bacio and Japanese sprinter Satono Reve.
The race is unusual because juveniles can meet older sprinters over the minimum trip. At five furlongs, reaction time, early speed, track position and the draw can all become disproportionately important.
Sky Bet City of York Stakes 2026
The City of York Stakes gives Saturday a Group 1 of its own. York’s published entries included horses coming from both sprint and mile backgrounds, making the seven-furlong distance an important tactical middle ground.
Flora Of Bermuda is one of the strongest recent running-plan signals. Andrew Balding says the dual York winner is firmly on course for the race after demonstrating that she stays seven furlongs.
Stablemates Marvelman and defending champion Never So Brave have also remained in the wider picture, although their participation depends more heavily on ground conditions and alternative races.
Sources checked 13 August 2026: York Racecourse – Group 1 entries, York Racecourse – trainer running plans.
Ebor Festival Runners, Entries and Latest Running Plans
The final racecards are not yet complete, but the latest trainer updates provide a much stronger indication of which horses are genuinely being prepared for York.
Latest trainer running plans
| Horse | Trainer | Current York Target | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ombudsman | John & Thady Gosden | Juddmonte International | Being prepared to defend title |
| Item | Andrew Balding | Juddmonte International | Ready to line up |
| Kalpana | Andrew Balding | Yorkshire Oaks | Intended, subject to final work |
| Flora Of Bermuda | Andrew Balding | City of York Stakes | Strong running intention |
| Tarriance | Andrew Balding | Sky Bet Ebor | Primary target |
| Never Enough | Ed Walker | Gimcrack Stakes | Very likely |
| Alfred Wallace | Ed Walker | Acomb Stakes | Under consideration |
| Almaqam | Ed Walker | Juddmonte International | Ground dependent |
| Ten Bob Tony | Ed Walker | City of York Stakes | Ground / trip dependent |
| Caballo De Mar | George Scott | Lonsdale Cup | On track |
| Gamrai | George Scott | Sky Bet Ebor | Expected runner |
| Hopewell Rock | George Boughey | Sky Bet Ebor | All systems go |
Why entries are not the same as final runners
Ante-post entry lists are useful for understanding the potential quality of a race, but they can overstate the number of horses that will actually take part. Trainers may have alternative engagements, require particular going or wait for veterinary and training checks.
Final declarations will also add information that is central to a serious race preview: confirmed jockeys, the draw and a much clearer view of the actual field size.
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 the final afternoon. Current trainer plans are now beginning to identify several horses being specifically prepared for the 1m 6f test.
Sky Bet Ebor 2026 race details
The Ebor is fundamentally different from the four 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.
Current Ebor contenders with clear running plans
Tarriance
Andrew Balding describes the 2025 Melrose winner as his leading Ebor contender. The same 1m 6f York trip is an obvious positive, and the horse was deliberately given a break with the Ebor as the primary target.
Hopewell Rock
George Boughey is preparing Hopewell Rock directly for York after his competitive 1m 6f handicap success at Goodwood. The trainer has described the Ebor as the clear route.
Gamrai
George Scott expects Gamrai to represent his stable after the four-year-old joined the yard following a narrow defeat in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot.
Further & Fantasy World
Both also remain among Andrew Balding’s Ebor options, although Tarriance currently carries the strongest explicit target language from the trainer.
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.
Tarriance currently has one of the most persuasive profiles from the publicly stated running plans because York has been the long-term objective and he already has winning form over the Ebor course and distance. Hopewell Rock and Gamrai provide contrasting profiles with recent handicap form and clear trainer intent. A firmer verdict should wait for the final weights, field, draw and going.
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.
| Race | Grade / Type | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|
| Juddmonte International | Group 1 | £1,500,000 |
| Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks | Group 1 | £600,000 |
| 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 Stakes | 2yo Handicap | £500,000 |
Why York’s international links matter
The three weekday Group 1 races are part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, while York also operates links with major races in Japan, Australia, Ireland, Bahrain and Dubai.
The Juddmonte International winner is eligible for a major Japan Racing Association bonus linked to the Japan Cup. The Sky Bet Ebor retains its important Melbourne Cup connection, and the Nunthorpe winner has an additional pathway to the Flying Five at the Curragh.
The Ebor Festival is no longer simply a high-value domestic meeting. Prize money, international bonuses, World Pool and automatic qualification pathways increasingly connect York directly to major races elsewhere in the global Flat calendar.
Prize-money and international-link information checked 13 August 2026: York Racecourse – Festival Preview.
How to Watch the Ebor Festival 2026: TV and Live Streaming
British viewers can follow the meeting through ITV and Racing TV. York has now confirmed the broad 2026 broadcast plan for all four days.
Major races on ITV
| Day | Feature Race | Time | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | Juddmonte International | 3:35pm | ITV1 |
| Thursday | Yorkshire Oaks | 3:35pm | ITV1 |
| Friday | Nunthorpe Stakes | 3:35pm | ITV1 |
| Saturday | City of York Stakes | 3:00pm | ITV1 |
| Saturday | Sky Bet Ebor | 3:35pm | ITV1 |
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 will front the specialist channel’s festival coverage, including Mark Your Card live from the track.
York also expects substantial international distribution, including coverage reaching Australia, the United States, Japan, Dubai and much of continental Europe. Exact local channel availability varies by territory.
Broadcast information checked 13 August 2026: York Racecourse – Festival Preview, official Order of Running.
Ebor Festival 2026 Tickets and Enclosures
York offers several admission areas with different views, facilities and dress expectations. Individual-day and multi-day options are available through the official racecourse ticket system.
County Stand
York’s premier enclosure offers elevated viewing, access to additional bars and hospitality areas and the most formal dress requirements.
Grandstand & Paddock
A less formal option with access to the Parade Ring viewing areas and a broad range of racecourse facilities.
Multi-day tickets
York offers festival packages including a four-day admission and a weekday three-day option covering Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Hospitality
Restaurant, shared-box and private-box packages are also offered, with several premium areas forming part of the County Stand.
York Racecourse Visitor Guide
Racegoers should plan around the 11:00am gate opening, enclosure-specific dress requirements and heavy festival traffic around the Knavesmire.
What time do the gates open?
York opens the gates at 11:00am on all four Ebor Festival days. The first race is currently 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.
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.
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 currently 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.
Ebor Festival 2026 Predictions and Races to Watch
This is still a pre-declaration analysis. The strongest conclusions concern race structure and current running intentions rather than final betting selections.
| Race | Current Storyline | Key Variable Still Missing |
|---|---|---|
| Juddmonte International | Ombudsman defending his title, Item firmly York-bound and Constitution River central to the potential generational clash. | Final declarations and pace shape |
| Yorkshire Oaks | Kalpana is being prepared for the race after her King George success. | Final field and confirmation after final work |
| Nunthorpe | Potentially international sprint field including major names from earlier entries. | Draw, going and final runners |
| City of York Stakes | Flora Of Bermuda has one of the clearest current trainer intentions. | Final opposition and ground |
| Sky Bet Ebor | Tarriance, Hopewell Rock and Gamrai all have clear York plans. | Final field, weights, draw and going |
The Juddmonte International is the strongest championship race on paper because the latest plans could bring together elite older and three-year-old form. The Ebor remains the most difficult race to assess before declarations because handicapping, field size, draw and pace can materially alter the picture. Tarriance currently stands out as one of the clearest long-term Ebor targets rather than as a definitive selection.
Ebor Festival 2026 FAQ
Quick answers to the most important questions about the dates, race times, runners, TV coverage, tickets and major races at York.
When is the Ebor Festival 2026?
The Sky Bet Ebor Festival takes place 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 are the main races at the Ebor Festival 2026?
The four Group 1 races are the Juddmonte International, Yorkshire Oaks, Nunthorpe Stakes and Sky Bet City of York Stakes. Saturday also features the £500,000 Sky Bet Ebor.
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 is worth £500,000.
How can I watch the Ebor Festival 2026?
ITV is scheduled to broadcast the first five races on each of the four festival days. Racing TV will show all 28 races live.
What is the dress code at York Racecourse?
The County Stand has a formal dress code: gentlemen and those identifying as such are required to wear a jacket, collared shirt and tie or cravat. Grandstand & Paddock and Clocktower are more relaxed.
Are the Ebor Festival 2026 runners confirmed?
Not all of them. Trainer running plans are becoming clearer, but the final fields, jockey bookings and draw positions still need to be confirmed through the declaration process.
Latest Ebor Festival 2026 Updates
This guide is being updated as York Racecourse and trainers publish new information. The next major editorial stage will be the move from entries and running plans to final racecards.
The article has been refreshed with York’s trainer updates from 11 and 12 August, current race names and times, the latest TV information and a clearer distinction between entries, intended runners and final declarations.
Latest confirmed developments
- Item is ready to line up in the Juddmonte International according to Andrew Balding.
- Kalpana is being prepared for the Yorkshire Oaks, subject to her final work going to plan.
- Flora Of Bermuda is firmly on course for the City of York Stakes.
- Tarriance is Andrew Balding’s leading Sky Bet Ebor contender and has been trained with the race as a primary target.
- Never Enough is very likely to run in the Gimcrack according to Ed Walker.
- Hopewell Rock is being prepared directly for the Sky Bet Ebor by George Boughey.
- Gamrai is expected to represent George Scott in the Ebor.
- ITV will show the first five races each day, while Racing TV plans to show all 28 races live.
What can still change?
Final declarations
Some prominent entries will inevitably come out before race day, while intended runners still need to pass through the declaration process.
Jockey bookings
Final jockey assignments are central to race analysis and are not yet complete across the meeting.
The draw
Stall positions can become particularly important in large handicaps and short-distance races.
Going and weather
Several trainers have already indicated that the ground could influence participation, including Almaqam, Ten Bob Tony and Marvelman.
Once the first final declarations are available, the major race sections should be converted from entry-based previews to confirmed runner guides. That update should add jockeys, draw, current going and sharper race-specific predictions.
Final facts check: 13 August 2026. Primary sources: York Racecourse, Order of Running, Festival Preview, Trainer Running Plans, Racing FAQs.
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