Sky Bet Ebor Festival: ten epic finishes to savour

The 1996 King’s Stand Stakes winner needed a Group One success on his CV to mark himself down as one of the best of his generation and it duly came later that season on the Knavesmire. Pivotal reeled in long-time leader Eveningperformance with a power-packed late charge under George Duffield to prevail by a short head. Duffield rode him on all but one of his career outings. 

Giant’s Causeway lost out to Kalanisi in an epic edition of the Coral-Eclipse Stakes earlier that season but Aidan O’Brien’s warrior got revenge this day. The son of Storm Cat had been headed by his old foe entering the final furlong but Giant’s Causeway dug deep late on to get back up and score by a head, with the front two seven lengths clear of their nearest rival.

Sea The Stars took another step towards greatness with a fourth Group One success of his three-year-old campaign. His three opponents were all trained by Aidan O'Brien but he brushed them aside in a record time. He would go on to win two more top-flight races in an unbeaten season that ended in Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe glory.

Twice Over’s fourth and final Group One victory came on the Knavesmire in 2011 when he edged out better-fancied stablemate Midday. It was a result that led to an outpouring of love and affection for trainer Sir Henry Cecil. It was also a first success in the race for the race's sponsor, Prince Khalid Abdullah, who was also responsible for the runner-up.

Sole Power had run away with the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot earlier that season and he was to add another huge sprinting prize at York. Richard Hughes produced a masterpiece of a ride to negotiate traffic on his strong-travelling companion, who weaved through the field before being delivered to lead in the final few yards. 

Look away now, Golden Horn backers. The 2015 Juddmonte International turned into a tactical affair, with many of the runners racing keenly - including the 4/9 favourite. It paid to be on or near the front end, which is where Silvestre de Sousa had Arabian Queen positioned throughout. Game as a pebble late on, she held on to become one of the biggest ever-priced winners of the race. Winning trainer David Elsworth famously shunned post-race interviews, saying his filly had been overlooked in the build-up.

The 2017 Nunthorpe Stakes produced a finish for the ages but it was agony for favourite backers because long-time leader Lady Aurelia, sent off 10/11, was chinned right on the line by the fast-finishing Marsha. Frankie Dettori rode Lady Aurelia, punching the air in delight at the finish, believing he had won. But he hadn't.

Just over £600,000 of Japan’s total career earnings of £2m+ were plundered on the Knavesmire in the summer of 2019. He needed to show all his battling qualities to get the better of warm favourite Crystal Ocean but Ryan Moore wasn’t going to be denied.   Japan provided Aidain O'Brien with a record-equalling sixth victory in the race. 

Brilliant stayer Stradivarius won three Lonsdale Cups in all, the most recent of which was a hard-fought head success over Spanish MIssion in 2021. It was a performance that once again highlighted that this outstanding racehorse had the heart to match his dazzling ability. He ended his career with a perfect record of six wins from six outings on the Knavesmire.

Impressive Ribblesdale winner Warm Heart once again showed just how devastatingly effective she could be on her favoured quick ground by holding off high-class older rival Free Wind. She went on to win Group 1’s in France and the US before being retired in 2024.