Discover Irish Stars from York: Who to Watch After Ebor Festival The York Ebor Festival, one of the true highlights of the British racing summer, has come and gone for another year. Four wonderful days on the famous Knavesmire turf produced lots of quality action, dramatic finishes and stellar performances. We've picked out some Irish horses from York that could be worth following. Kendall Roy We go all the way back to the opening race on Wednesday afternoon when Kildare handler Katie McGivern saw Kendall Roy finishing a close up fourth in the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap over 5½ furlongs under Colin Keane. The four-year-old Twilight Son gelding registered four victories in 2024, all at the minimum trip, two in Ireland and two in Britain at Windsor and Thirsk. He's 0-3 since returning in late July from a 313-day lay-off, but has run well in his outings at Cork and the Curragh before catching the eye at York. He was a little short of room at the 2f marker and Keane twice had to alter course to get clear racing room for his challenge, as Kendall Roy ran on strongly to finish fourth off a mark of 90. He's in good heart and could land a decent pot at home or in Britain before the turf season concludes. Alice Monet Dermot Weld's Teofilo filly was looking to complete a hat-trick in the Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes and ended up settling for fourth. She had bagged wins at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown over shorter trips and seemed to see out the increased 1m4f test quite well. The Moyglare Stud-owned three-year-old was briefly short of room at York in the closing stages and was beaten by just under two lengths behind the 103-rated and much more experienced Charlotte's Web at the line. Alice Monet has only had five runs and this was her first time tackling this trip. It's probable she has more improvement ahead of her. Akecheta Second in the Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies' Handicap over a mile-and-a-quarter behind Cape Flora from the John & Thady Gosden team, Kevin Coleman's Akecheta ran another fine race in defeat. The winner made every yard and was never in danger. Akecheta was held up at the back of the 13-runner field and ran on strongly through the pack to join Blessed Star as they shared the minor honours. The Sioux Nation mare has run with promise in three starts this year at this intermediate trip, adding this run to the prior efforts at Epsom and Goodwood. Her mark holds at 90 and there should be a prize for her before long. Ascending Willie Mullins landed the Ebor with Ethical Diamond, the winner powering clear under William Buick for a decisive win as Ireland landed the York feature race for the fourth time in five years. The Melbourne Cup could be next for the Closutton-based winner and there was a one-two-three for the raiding party, Ascending and Queenstown filling out the places for Henry de Bromhead and Aidan O'Brien respectively. Ascending had won the 2m4f Ascot Stakes in June on his previous start and he simply didn't have the turn of foot to match Ethical Diamond over this shorter trip. He did run well up 8lb from Royal Ascot, however, and connections will be eyeing up something to put his stamina to good use in the autumn no doubt, with an entry in next month's Irish Cesarewitch over 2m1f looking optimal.
