Kicking off on Wednesday, 20th August, and concluding on Saturday, 23rd August, the Sky Bet Ebor Festival is home to nine Group-class contests and one of the most valuable staying handicaps in the world.
With Group 1 prestige and significant prize money up for grabs, the Ebor Festival is a key fixture for the leading British and Irish yards. In 2025, the meeting also looks set to play a significant role in the race to become British Champion Trainer.
Aidan O’Brien currently leads the way in a three-way tussle with Andrew Balding and John & Thady Gosden, but with just over £800,000 separating first and third place, the picture could change quickly.
Boasting an excellent recent record at this fixture, the Gosden operation will have high hopes of closing the gap. With solid claims in many of the top events, they have every chance of doing just that.
Ombudsman – Juddmonte International Stakes
- Previous John Gosden/John & Thady Gosden-trained Winners – Roaring Lion (2018), Mishriff (2021), Mostahdaf (2023)
The Day One feature offers £1.25 million in prize money and is regularly recognised as one of the highest-class races on the planet. Initially pencilled in as Field Of Gold’s first start beyond a mile, the Gosdens now look set to rely on the Godolphin colt Ombudsman.
Unraced as a juvenile, this son of Night Of Thunder exploded onto the scene with four wins from as many starts during his three-year-old season – headlined by a Group 3 victory in the Prix du Prince d’Orange. His winning run came to an end when beaten in the Brigadier Gerrard Stakes on his seasonal return, but he stepped up on that effort to post a resounding victory in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes. Only a neck behind Delacroix when second in the Coral-Eclipse, he may find that Aidan O’Brien-trained rival in his way once again.
Trawlerman – Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup
- Previous John Gosden/John & Thady Gosden-trained Winners – Stradivarius (2018, 2019, 2021), Enbihaar (2020)
The Gosdens recorded four successive wins with Enbihaar and the only three-time Lonsdale Cup winner, Stradivarius, between 2018 and 2021. Since then, they have saddled Courage Mon Ami to fill the runner-up position in 2023, while Gregory finished third in 2024.
French Master, Military Academy, and Sweet William are all possible contenders for the 2025 edition, but the clear standout among the Gosden entries is Ascot Gold Cup hero Trawlerman. Also sporting the Godolphin blue, the seven-year-old is 5lb clear of the field on ratings. He also boasts solid form at the track, having claimed the Ebor Handicap in 2022. With only £250,000 up for grabs, the prize money falls some way short of the Juddmonte International purse. However, every penny counts in the title race, and Trawlerman seems sure to start as a clear favourite on the day.
Audience– Sky Bet City Of York Stakes
- Previous John Gosden/John & Thady Gosden-trained Winners – Tinners Way (1993)
Awarded Group 1 status for the first time in 2025, this Day 4 contest looks set to attract a field to match. Classic winners over a mile, Rosallion and Notable Speech look interesting dropping back to seven furlongs, while speedy French star Lazzat will be dangerous if seeing out the trip.
On paper, the most likely Gosden runner, Audience, has work to do with that trio. However, while inconsistent, it is dangerous to underestimate this Cheveley Park runner. Now six years old, he’s proven in this grade, having sprung a 22/1 surprise in the 2024 Lockinge Stakes. He’s yet to hit those heights in 2025, but goes well at this track, having finished a close second to Kinross in the 2023 edition of this event.
French Master – Sky Bet Ebor Handicap
- Previous John Gosden/John & Thady Gosden-trained Winners – Muntahaa (2018), Trawlerman (2022)
Seventy-two runners remain in contention for the meeting’s titular handicap, including three from the yard of Andrew Balding and two Aidan O’Brien-trained challengers. John & Thady Gosden rely on only one, but that may be all they need.
Just over two weeks before the big race, French Master is the only horse available to back at a single-figure price and half the odds of his nearest market rival. The Group 1 Goodwood Cup over two miles proved too tall an order last time, but his handicap form reads very well. Two from two in handicap contests over this 1m6f trip, he’s 8lb higher than when slamming the Copper Horse Stakes field, but that may not be enough to stop him.
IT’S WATHNAN AGAIN! FRENCH MASTER WINS THE COPPER HORSE STAKES! #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/V503RCfWZE
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2025
With Fifth Column, Spy Chief, and Crimson Advocate also holding entries for the Gosden team, it will be no surprise if the championship race looks a little closer by the end of the 2025 Ebor Festival.