Best in the world: six of racing's stars set to light up York's Ebor meeting

Racing fans are in for a treat at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor festival with six of the world's best horses heading to the Knavesmire...

Crystal Ocean (top-rated in the Longines world rankings)
Juddmonte International
Wednesday

The exceptional Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old will look to give his trainer a seventh win in Wednesday's Group 1 spectacular. Crystal Ocean has enjoyed a fine campaign, landing a first top-level success with a scintillating performance in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes before going down narrowly in an epic battle with Enable in the King George.

Crystal Ocean: the world's highest-rated horseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Those two do not clash at York but Crystal Ocean will take on some high-quality three-year-olds as he aims to maintain the title of racing's number one.

Enable (second)
Darley Yorkshire Oaks
Thursday

It may be her final start on British soil but racing's superstar mare will attempt to land a remarkable tenth Group 1 success.

She has added the Eclipse and a second King George to her outstanding CV this season and is a 1-3 favourite to score before heading back for her history-making bid for a third Arc in October.

Magical (joint 11th)
Darley Yorkshire Oaks
Thursday

Enable's key market rival, and a fine filly in her own right, Magical seeks a second Group 1 success this season in the Yorkshire Oaks and represents the powerful Aidan O'Brien team.

Magical and Ryan Moore run out easy winners of the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh in 2019Credit: Patrick McCann

She was a comfortable seven-length winner of the Tattersalls Gold Cup before finding Enable and Crystal Ocean too good on her last two starts at Sandown and Ascot. Though she has been defeated, she is a top-class mare and will certainly give Enable a test on the Knavesmire.

Ten Sovereigns (joint 11th)
Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes
Friday

Ten Sovereigns established himself as one of the world's top sprinters with a stylish two-and-three-quarter-length victory in the July Cup and is set to clash with Battaash in a thrilling renewal of the Nunthorpe.

Ten Sovereigns: roared home in the July CupCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

He had previously disappointed in the 2,000 Guineas and Commonwealth Cup but looked to have turned a corner at Newmarket, and it will be interesting to see him dropped to the minimum trip in a quality renewal of the Nunthorpe.

Battaash (joint 14th)
Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes
Friday

Regarded as the one of the quickest horses on the planet, the Charlie Hills-trained Battaash looks to make it third-time lucky in the Nunthorpe after disappointing in two previous visits to York.

The speedy son of Dark Angel has won the Temple and King George Stakes this season, with a King's Stand Stakes second to Blue Point inbetween. He bids for a second top-level success in the Nunthorpe in a dazzling match-up against Ten Sovereigns.

Stradivarius (joint 14th)
Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes
Friday

The imperious stayer Stradivarius is looking to land a second £1 million bonus to cap off a dominant year. He is on course for the big payout having landed the Yorkshire Cup, Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup.

He is the class act in his division and is bidding for a remarkable ninth straight win.

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