Classic-winning trainer William Haggas has experienced immense success from his Newmarket base. Now 64 years old, Haggas has saddled an impressive 35 Group 1 winners since entering the training ranks back in 1988.
So far, 2025 has continued the long-running trend of Haggas making his presence felt in the biggest and best events. Kicking off with a win in the Lincoln in March, he added eight wins at Listed level or above, headlined by Dubai Honour’s Group 1 triumph in the Kia Tancred Stakes in Australia.
The 2025 season is well into its second half, but there are plenty of opportunities for Haggas to add to his tally, and Wednesday sees the start of a meeting which remains close to the trainer’s heart. William Haggas may be based in Newmarket, but this Skipton native remains a proud Yorkshireman. As such, success on the home soil of the York Ebor Festival may taste that bit sweeter.
Strong Team in 2025
Haggas has peppered the Ebor Festival winners’ enclosure over the years, with wins across the board, from the handicaps to the Group 1 headline acts. With a strong squad set to travel north, he has every chance of adding to his haul in 2025. When looking at the list of Haggas entries, the following runners, in particular, catch the eye.
Bullet Point Clipper Handicap
This son of Advertise has displayed impressive consistency since undergoing a gelding procedure – finishing outside of the first two only once in six outings. Second in his two most recent starts at Ascot, he’s 3lb well in at the weights for a Day 2 event Haggas won with Montatham in 2020.
Elmonjed – Sky Bet Constantine Handicap
Sporting the famous Shadwell silks, this Blue Point gelding boasts an excellent record on the 6f course at York. Mastering 18 rivals to win this race in 2024, he again came out on top in a big-field event in the 2025 Sky Bet Dash. Only 2lb higher than for the most recent successes, he has every chance of defending his title.
Golden Handshake – Sky Bet Melrose Handicap
Going in the famous colours the King, Golden Handshake arrives seeking a hat-trick following wins at Lingfield and Newbury. He’s up 4lb in the weights but steps up to 1m6f for the first time, which may inspire further improvement.
Santorini Star – Sky Bet Stayers Handicap
This Golden Horn filly looks like an ideal type for the Ebor. However, a mark of 97 places her only 37th on the list in a race with a 22-runner maximum. As such, this 2m event is the more likely assignment. Doing all her best work late when fourth in a 1m6f Group 3 at Fairyhouse last time, she looks very interesting as she steps up in trip.
Wonder Star – British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes
Haggas won this Listed event for the fillies with Sea Theme in 2023 and looks set to send another daughter of Sea The Stars into battle in 2025. Raced only once as a juvenile in 2024, Wonder Star returned with an effortless maiden success at Ascot. A hefty bump contributed to an eighth-place finish in a Listed event at Newbury, but she bounced back to form with a close-up second at Goodwood last time. She tackles 1m4f for the first time, but her pedigree suggests the additional distance should suit.
Operating at an exceptional 38% strike rate over the first two weeks in August, the experienced Haggas has his string in fine order ahead of this hugely popular fixture. Striking with Treasure Time and Elmonjed in 2024, it would be no surprise to see the experienced trainer at least match that tally in 2025.