York Ebor Festival features Breeders' Cup qualifiers

The Ebor Festival is taking place at York Racecourse, featuring several high-profile Group 1 races and serving as a key event for international horse racing. Four races at the festival act as automatic qualifiers for the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, including the Juddmonte International Stakes, the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes, the Yorkshire Oaks, and the Nunthorpe Stakes.

Key contenders for the opening Group 1 race, the Juddmonte International, include last year's winner Ombudsman and Constitution River. In the Nunthorpe Stakes, interest is high for Asfoora, who is looking to defend her title, and Bacio, a Wesley Ward-trained colt.

In addition to the racing, the Sky Bet Ebor Community Sweepstake has shortlisted 22 Yorkshire-based charities. One organization will be awarded a £20,000 grant if their matched horse wins the Sky Bet Ebor on Saturday, with additional smaller grants for second and third-place finishers.