The winner of the Ebor Handicap 2023 will receive a guaranteed place in the Lexus Melbourne Cup for the first time in history. York’s eponymous Ebor Festival highlight has long been seen as the British equivalent of “the race that stops a nation” in Australia, and this announcement tightens the link between these two valuable events.
There’s extra incentive for owners and trainers to run their horses in the 1m 6f Ebor Handicap on Saturday, 26 August now. This is the only overseas race that gifts automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup, alongside six other contests Down Under including the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate that are “win and you’re in”.
Ballot exemption races aren’t new. Europe’s richest Flat handicap at York races worth £500,000 itself has four qualifiers that guarantee a place in the line-up during the Ebor Festival. They are the previous season’s Melrose Handicap, Jorvik Handicap during the Dante meeting, a “win and you’re in” event at the Curragh and the Listed Grand Cup.
The Ebor Handicap 2023 will act almost as a golden ticket to the Melbourne Cup. Victoria Racing Club Chief Executive Steve Rosich had this to say on the announcement: “The Ebor Handicap has been a proven pathway into the Melbourne Cup over the years and it is fantastic to be able to build on the association with Flemington and York Racecourse.
“The introduction of a seventh golden ticket is exciting for both clubs and the connections of all potential Ebor runners. It further cements the Lexus Melbourne Cup’s international reach and appeal.”
One notable jockey already confirmed to be going over from Britain for the Lexus Melbourne Cup is Frankie Dettori, who extended his farewell tour to include riding at Flemington Racecourse.
What Date & Time Is The Ebor Handicap 2023?
📅Time/Date: 3:35pm (Saturday, 26th August 2023)
🏇Racecourse: York Racecourse
💰 Prize Pool: £500,000
📺 TV: Racing TV / ITV
🎲 Ebor Handicap 2023 Odds: Vauban 4/1 | Absurde 10/1 | Okita Soushi 12/1 | Quickthorn @ 12/1 | Bar 16/1
Ebor Handicap 2023 Odds
- Vauban @ 4/1
- Absurde @ 10/1
- Okita Soushi @ 12/1
- Quickthorn @ 12/1
- Chillingham @ 16/1
- Eagles Way @ 16/1
- Live Your Dreams @ 16/1
- Bar 16/1
The Ebor joins a number of Lexus-sponsored races in Australia as “golden ticket” races. They are the Roy Higgins Stakes (2600m), Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m), Bart Cummings Stakes (2500m), Caulfield Cup (2400m), Cox Plate (2040m) and the Archer Stakes (2500m) as “win and you’re in” events.
Victoria Racing Club deciding to establish the Ebor Handicap 2023 as a pivotal race for automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup, further strengthens the global importance of both York and Australia’s most prestigious horse racing event.
What Date & Time Is The Lexus Melbourne Cup 2023?
📅Time/Date: 4:00am (Tuesday, 7th November 2023)
🏇Racecourse: Flemington Racecourse
💰 Prize Pool: $4.4 million
📺 TV: Sky Sports Racing
🎲 Melbourne Cup 2023 Odds: Vauban 15/2 | Goldman @ 10/1 | Without A Fight 12/1 | Lunar Flare @ 12/1 | Bar 16/1
Lexus Melbourne Cup Odds 2023
- Vauban @ 15/2
- Goldman @ 10/1
- Without A Fight @ 12/1
- Lunar Flare @ 12/1
- Justin Palace @ 12/1
- Silver Sonic @ 14/1
- White Marlin @ 16/1
- Francesco Guardi @ 16/1
- Bar 16/1
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