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Those of us who take the view that Cheltenham’s move from a three-day to a four-day Festival has made it less special will be dismayed to learn that York appear to have similar plans for the Ebor Meeting (which of course is now called a "Festival").
Having assured us that this year’s extension to four days was a one-off to compensate for the loss of the meetings in September and October for remedial work to the track, William Derby now says that "there will be an appetite to look at retaining a four-day Ebor festival in 2009." Whose appetite is that?
These people don’t seem to have heard of the "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it" adage.
It’s unsurprising but a wholly disappointing move all the same Gus. The three-day ‘festival’ that existed up until now was in my eyes, second only to Royal Ascot in terms of class of racing over the meeting as a whole. Unfortunately it’s going to be a massively diluted affair from now on (there’s no way it’ll go back to being three days after this).
The Group 3 Strensall Stakes has been the only ‘replacement’ race announced so far but I’d put my house on there being at least two sprint handicaps..Where are all these good horses going to come from?
They can only be from other races, making those other races poorer because of it.
Think I smell another thread coming on…
Value Is EverythingThe extra day has nothing at all to do with racing.
It means that York can get an extra days bar takings in their coffers.
Very disappointing but sadly inevitable.
I travel from Ireland every year for the Ebor meeting as it’s my favourite of the year but an extra day means extra expense so will probably just go the first two days and go home Wednesday night as I now do for Cheltenham – thereby avoiding the dreaded Ladies Day and beer-swilling Friday.I am probably going to be in the minority here but I like the prospect of a four day meeting at the Ebor. It is one of my favorite meetings of the year and it goes too quickly. Cheltenham, Ascot, Goodwood have top meetings which last longer than 3 days so I believe that York should.
Punters complain that there is too much rubbish racing on but when a racecourse extends their good meetings then they complain as well. As long as the extra racing is of a reasonable quality then I’m all for it.
Pete
I hate ladies day, its bloody sexist where we male totty do not get rewarded for looking a millon dollars. The whole place is crawling with badly dressed drunken hags….
I also hate all these badly dressed half cut men who York and Ripon who think you are posh for wearing a collar and tie plus a nice hat then laugh at you as you have the sense too you use a bus too get home rather than pay a fortune for a cab or rent a stretchd limo and look like a twat.
They need too do several things at york, lower the prices as they over priced, get rid of several handicaps as they are den of theives. Have better security and ensure people who are half cut are not allowed on the track, also get rid of mobile beer sellers. They need to also make companies who organise trips that allowing their charges too get tanked at public houses too be bared.
We would need another group one too justify a fourth day.
I liked the september day with the group three, it was a good days racing.
The final day of the ebor meet is often the weakest anyway becuase bar the unthrope most fo the best races have already taken place, its like the cheltnum festival or the royal meeting.
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