International stage for Newmarket
The Juddmonte International will take centre stage at Newmarket on Saturday after the racing industry moved to save a number of key races washed away by the abandonment of the York Ebor festival.
All three Group Ones due to be staged on the Knavesmire, plus an Ebor substitute, will be run in the coming days, with Newmarket, Goodwood and Newbury all stepping up to play host.
The first two days of the big four-day meeting at York were lost on Tuesday after a deluge of rain and clerk of the course and chief executive William Derby was eventually left with no alternative but to wave the white flag on the remainder of the fixture.
He said: “Unfortunately we had to abandon the rest of the meeting as the track is waterlogged in places and there is no prospect of it drying out.
“It is obviously disappointing, both for the connections of the horses and the whole team so I am so sorry about that.
“It’s hugely frustrating and to be beaten by the elements is a very humbling experience. We have had an unbelievable amount of rainfall and the course could just not take any more.”
Newmarket will play host to the International after the BHA worked frantically in an attempt to re-schedule nine races.
Headquarters will also stage the Festival’s other Group One events – the Darley Yorkshire Oaks and the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes – on Friday.
Joining those key contests will be the DBS Sales Race to form a bumper 11-race card.
The Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur will take place at Goodwood on Saturday, while the Ebor becomes the totesport Newburgh and will be run at Newbury on Friday, as will the Gimcrack.
The track in Berkshire, England is also offering free entry to anybody holding tickets to any of the four days of the York meeting.
Newmarket clerk of the course and director of racing Michael Prosser welcomed the initiative.
“We view ourselves at Jockey Club racecourses that we are very much here for the good of racing,” he said.
“What we have said all along is that hopefully all these races will be staged at York but if not and you need any help from us at any stage then don’t be afraid to come to us.
“Following the abandonment of the fixtures the BHA have been very proactive in trying to relocate the key races.
“It’s not just us – Newbury and Goodwood, as I understand it, have been extremely helpful. It’s great that all parties have come together and worked together to find a solution and find a mechanism to stage these races.”
Newbury officials were delighted to stage two of York’s historic races in the shape of the Ebor and the Gimcrack.
Clerk of the course Richard Osgood said: “We’re very happy to help everyone out and get the races under way.”
The majority of bookmakers are refunding all bets, including those struck ante-post, on the races due to be staged at York this week and new markets will be formed on the rescheduled events.
