The opening day of York’s Ebor Festival is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2026, with seven races from 13:50 to 17:20. The card is headed by the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at 15:35, while the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes and Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes are also on the programme.
York is a left-handed, flat track that Racing TV describes as a fair course for long-striding gallopers. The racecard lists the going as Good.
York Ebor Festival Day One Schedule
- 13:50: Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap, 5f 89y
- 14:25: Tattersalls Acomb Stakes, Group 3, 7f
- 15:00: Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes, Group 2, 1m 3f 188y
- 15:35: Juddmonte International Stakes, Group 1, 1m 2f 56y
- 16:10: Sky Bet Stayers Handicap, 2m 56y
- 16:45: Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap, 5f
- 17:20: Sky Bet Nursery, 6f
Matt Chapman’s York Selections For Day One
Matt Chapman selected The Man in the opening handicap, Haffner in the Acomb Stakes, Christmas Day in the Great Voltigeur, Ombudsman in the Juddmonte International and Shrimp Shady each-way in the Stayers Handicap.
13:50 Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap
Chapman’s each-way selection is The Man. He noted that the horse won at York in May 2025 from a mark of 84 and then finished second in this race later that year from a mark of 92. The Man is listed to run from a mark of 89, which is 3lb lower than that previous race mark.
Chapman also pointed to stall three, described the ground as suitable, and noted that David Egan rides for Richard Spencer.
Matt Chapman’s selection: The Man, each-way
14:25 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes
The Acomb Stakes is a Group 3 race for two-year-olds over seven furlongs. Chapman’s selection is Haffner, who won a Newmarket maiden before finishing behind Dr Rascal in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.
Chapman considered Haffner’s outside draw potentially helpful and noted that Ryan Moore rides for Aidan O’Brien.
Matt Chapman’s selection: Haffner
15:00 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes
The Great Voltigeur is a Group 2 contest for three-year-olds over 1m 3f 188y and is often viewed as a St Leger trial. Chapman selected Christmas Day.
Christmas Day won the Derby and finished second in the Irish Derby, results Chapman said established him as a top-class colt. He also noted that the horse had won the Ballysax on good to yielding ground.
Matt Chapman’s selection: Christmas Day
15:35 Juddmonte International Stakes
The Juddmonte International is the feature race of the opening day, a Group 1 over 1m 2f 56y. Chapman selected Ombudsman, describing him as the joint top-rated horse in the world and the defending champion.
Ombudsman is a four-time Group 1 winner. William Buick rides for John and Thady Gosden. Chapman also identified Almaqam as an each-way consideration should the ground be good or softer, citing his Tattersalls Gold Cup performance.
Matt Chapman’s selection: Ombudsman. Each-way consideration: Almaqam, if the ground is good or softer.
16:10 Sky Bet Stayers Handicap
The Sky Bet Stayers Handicap is run over 2m 56y. Chapman’s each-way selection is Shrimp Shady.
He noted that Shrimp Shady followed a Newbury win with a defeat in the Shergar Cup and has been raised 1lb. Rob Hornby rides for Andrew Balding.
Matt Chapman’s selection: Shrimp Shady, each-way
16:45 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap
The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Handicap is a five-furlong heritage handicap for three-year-olds. The racecard lists 22 runners.
17:20 Sky Bet Nursery
The closing race is the Sky Bet Nursery, a six-furlong Class 2 contest for two-year-olds. The racecard lists 22 runners.
