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| Staff Writer |
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In a transformative development for British racing, both York and Ascot racecourses are strengthening their Group One portfolios, enhancing Britain's position in global racing with significant prize money boosts and upgraded races.
The City of York Stakes has achieved Group One status, becoming the first all-age, seven-furlong race to reach the highest level in Great Britain and Ireland. Scheduled for Saturday 23 August 2025, the race will carry a record purse of US$762,000, representing a 20% increase since racing's post-pandemic resumption.
The race's promotion has been earned through consistently attracting elite performers. Kinross, a Group One sprint winner, and Space Blues, who captured the Breeders' Cup Mile, highlight the recent roll of honour. Yorkshire's own Highfield Princess and Audience, winner of the Lockinge, have also graced the placings, demonstrating the race's appeal to performers across the distance spectrum.
The introduction of the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes, a Group Three contest over seven furlongs, creates a clear pathway to the main event. In an innovative move, connections of the June race winner will receive a full refund of their August entry fees upon competing in the Gr.1 City of York Stakes, incentivising progression through the ranks.
Complementing York's development, QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot will become the first British fixture to stage five Group One races, following the upgrade of the Long Distance Cup. This race will see its prize money increased to US$635,000, aligning with the Fillies & Mares and Sprint purses. A new US$317,500 2YO contest over six furlongs will also be introduced, bringing the day's total prize money to US$5.5 million.
The British Champions Series is evolving its focus towards the successful Club 26 initiative, a racing club for 18-26-year-olds that has attracted over 14,000 members. The Series' 35 Group One and Group Two races will continue to be promoted through social media platforms reaching over one million followers.
York Race Committee Chairman, Bridget Guerin, shared her enthusiasm: "This is simply fantastic news and a real credit to everyone involved. My thanks to the European Pattern Committee and to all the connections who have supported the race and so helped it achieve this new status. It means racing fans can look forward to a Group One race on all four days of the Ebor Festival, alongside our programme which features so many fabulous races, such as the Ebor itself. The recent news that Juddmonte International has been rated the Longines World's Best Race, shows the global resonance of our Group One contests and that can only be amplified by the latest addition to their ranks."
Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, William Derby, commented on the new pathway: "The Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes becomes the thirtieth Pattern race of our season and the fourth to benefit from the support of Al Basti Equiworld Dubai. Staged over the same seven furlongs as our new Group One, it offers an ideal opportunity for horses to test themselves over course and distance, with an eye to returning in August."
Ruth Quinn, Director of International Racing and Racing Development at the British Horseracing Authority, reflected on the achievement: "It really is a significant achievement to see the City of York upgraded to Group One, with this having been our long-term and ambitious plan as the race gradually climbed through the ranks from Listed status. York has been a patient and consistent supporter of the long-term strategy to develop this race into Britain's seven-furlong Group One race, only the second of its kind in Europe."
Rod Street, Chief Executive of British Champions Series Limited, added: "It's fantastic to now have five Group One races on the day and our thanks go to the BHA for securing the promotion of the Long Distance Cup. A valuable 2YO race has long been an aspiration of ours and our sponsor. We are delighted to have created a new race and one we can develop in the years to come. Our intention is to secure Pattern status for the race as soon as possible and we will be working with the BHA to achieve that."