The York Ebor Festival is here – a World Pool event with massive global betting pools! Bet with Race Coast, either online via our TOTE website or at one of our betting shops.

The 2025 UK Flat Season now turns to the York Ebor Festival, showcasing a strong international presence. Japan’s Danone Decile takes aim at the Juddmonte International on Wednesday, while Australian sprinter Asfoora returns for another crack at the Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday.

Across four thrilling days (Wednesday 20 – Saturday 23 August 2025), 28 races will unfold on the Knavesmire, including 10 Group races and 4 days of World Pool betting.

Don’t miss a moment – watch it all live on GallopTV!

Please Note: South African Quartet Pools with fractional betting offered at Southwell (UK) – 17 August 2025

David Thiselton

 

The highest rated race at Turffontein Inside today is a MR 91 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and Pretty Persuasive can follow up on her fine Highveld debut.

 

Pretty Persuasive made a fine local debut and for this race she has a perfect 89 merit rating as that enables her to sneak into the handicap with the minimum weight. She also has a good draw of two out of seven and leading jockey Muzi Yeni rides. Summer Winter disappointed last time, but from a pole position draw over a slight step-up in trip she will enjoy, she could be right there. Francilien returns from a rest but can get away with it over this trip. She has some good formlines and has Gavin Lerena up from a good draw. Komati River needs to bounce back from her below par last run and has a chance if doing so as she was facing the likes of Just Be Lekker and Mia Moo before that without being disgraced and has come down a point in the merit ratings. She does have a tricky draw of five out of seven. Take Your Place could earn a cheque if producing her best.

 

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Matcha Mint has been knocking on the door and looks difficult to oppose on form over this suitable 1600m trip from a fair draw of three with Muzi Yeni up. However, Special Star, who is out of Gr 1 winner Nother Russia, could improve on her debut when running a moderate fourth over this trip, although she is by Danon Platina, who is not proving to be as good a sire as he was predicted to be. Zahra Dominia drifted in the betting last time out and ran accordingly, but if reproducing the promise of her penultimate start she could be in the shake up.

 

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Chestnut Bomber lost his way in feature company in February and March, although his Gr 1 TAB SA Classic 7,50 length eighth was not a bad effort at all. He gave a hint in his comeback run last time over 1400m that he retains his ability and he beat the like of Bacchus in that race, whom he also beat in the SA Classic, and Bacchus has won since. Chestnut Bomber is 2kg better off here than any other horse according to official merit ratings and should prevail, although he does have a tricky draw of six out of eight. Pioneer Square ran well off an 85 last time and was raised three points which makes him officially 3,5kg under sufferance with Chestnut Bomber. Pennsylvania is second best in at the weights being 2kg out with Chestnut Bomber and is well drawn over a step up in trip which should suit.  Dance King is officially 5,5kg out, but did fare quite well against the decent horse Choisaanada in his last two starts and with a repeat he could earn here. We Are The Logans has the ability to be a contender, being officially 3,5kg out with Chestnut Bomber, but he has been off form and needs to bounce back.

 

In race six over 2000m The Ultimate King is highly regarded and over a suitable trip he is the one to beat off a handicap mark that he could rise above during this season. Luce Verde made a good Highveld debut and did win over this trip in the strong centre of Cape Town, so he should be a big runner here. Vesuvio is in good form and is distance suited and he should be in the shake-up. American Rebel is 4,5kg better off with The Ultimate King for a 6.2 length beating and he is better drawn so he could be in the shake up. Eiger Sanction is 8,5kg better off with The Ultimate King for a 6,45 length beating if apprentice claims are taken into account, so if 4kg claimer Girish Samo-Burthia rides a good race from a tough draw of eight this horse has a chance.

 

In race eight over 1200m Rifle Queen made a fine debut and could follow up with a reasonable 88 merit rating, although draw five out of seven could be tricky. Blushing Bloom won well last time and from pole position with Gavin Lerena up should go close. On The Run won easily last time and should be in the shake-up again, although she has draw six out of seven. Of the older runners, Princess Lola has the ability to be involved here from a good draw. Edge Of Tomorrow could earn if bouncing back.

 

Rodeo Drive was a bit disappointing last season, but has class and should be right there. Bjorn Ironside also has class and should also be involved. Frozen Fantasy is second best in at the weights and is distance suited, but has a tough draw. Vulcanite is an interesting entry because she has a lot of pace and is well drawn in this drop in trip. Sylvan Warrior went close in a Gr 2 last time over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville, but on official ratings is a whopping 11kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner Bjorn Ironside. Nyaka Nyaka has some fine form and has a fair draw, but is officially way under sufferance here.

 

In the first leg of the PA over 1600m Alpha World steps up in trip after two good runs and although he is out of a Querari sprinter he is by One World and that will give him a chance of enjoying this trip, although a wide draw is a detractor. World Order ran a good race over this trip last time and has a good draw here so should be involved. Step Into It can improve on his fair debut and is drawn in pole.

 

In the first race over 1200m Slender Silhouette ran two decent races in the strong centre of Cape Town and is the one to beat here, although she does have a tricky draw. Warm Reception is well-bred being by Fire Away out of the decent Tiger Ridge mare Folk Dance, which makes her a half-sister to Heather’s Boy, who won his first three starts and was regarded as a fine prospect.

 

In the second race over 1200m Saragossa Cat looks difficult to oppose from a good draw.

Race 1

 

8 SLENDER SILHOUETTE 9 WARM RECEPTION 3 JET O WAR 1 ACTUARY

 

Preview: 8 SLENDER SILHOUETTE ran two decent races in the strong centre of Cape Town and is the one to beat here, although she does have a tricky draw. 9 WARM RECEPTION is well-bred being by Fire Away out of the decent Tiger Ridge mare Folk Dance which makes her a half-sister to Heather’s Boy who won his first three starts and was regarded as a fine prospect.  3 JET O WAR is by Act Of War out of a Vercingetorix mare and has a plum draw on debut. 1 ACTUARY made a fair debut and could prove but does have a tough draw. (David Thiselton 8-9-3-1)

 

Race 2

 

8 SARAGOSSA CAT 3 CONCORDIA 6 LUCKY CHANCE 2 FIRE ON FIRE

 

Preview: 8 SARAGOSSA CAT was backed on debut and finished a fair second and she now has another good draw over the same course and distance and looks the one to beat. 3 CONCORDIA doesn’t look to be great shakes but is usually thereabouts and could earn from a good draw. 6 LUCKY CHANCE was not disgraced on debut and from pole position could earn here. 2 FIRE ON FIRE has almost six lengths to make up on Saragossa Cat but could earn in this field. (David Thiselton 8-3-6-2)

 

Race 3

 

3 ALPHA WORLD 1 WORLD ORDER 6 STEP INTO IT 4 ELUSIVE CHARM

 

Preview: 3 ALPHA WORLD steps up in trip after two good runs and although he is out of a Querari sprinter, he is by One World and that will give him a chance of enjoying this trip, although a wide draw is a detractor. 1 WORLD ORDER ran a good race over this trip last time and has a good draw here so should be involved. 6 STEP INTO IT can improve on his fair debut and is drawn in pole. 4 ELUSIVE CHARM faced good fields in his first two runs and with improvement he could earn from a good draw. (David Thiselton 3-1-6-4)

 

Race 4

 

1 MATCHA MINT 7 SPECIAL STAR 2 ZAHRA DOMINIA 5 AMBER’S FATE

 

Preview: 1 MATCHA MINT has been knocking on the door and from a good draw over an ideal trip she could get it right here. 7 SPECIAL STAR is by Danon Platina out of group one winner Nother Russia and she could improve on her debut when running a moderate fourth over this trip. 2 ZAHRA DOMINIA has shown enough to be able to earn in this field. 5 AMBER’S FATE could improve on her debut although she does have a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 1-7-2-5)

 

Race 5

 

1 CHESTNUT BOMBER 5 PIONEER SQUARE 6 PENNSYLVANIA 2 DANCE KING

 

Preview: 1 CHESTNUT BOMBER is well in at the weights here and will take a power of beating under Gavin Lerena having made a fair comeback last time. 5 PIONEER SQUARE ran well off an 85 last time and although raised three points he looks to be a promising sort and could play a part here. 6 PENNSYLVANIA is well drawn over a step up in trip which should suit and he could  earn. 2 DANCE KING fared well against the decent Choisaanada in his last two starts and with a repeat he could do well here although he does have a wide draw. (David Thiselton 1-5-6-2)

 

Race 6

 

1 THE ULTIMATE KING 4 LUCE VERDE 3 VESUVIO 5 AMERICAN REBEL

 

Preview: 1 THE ULTIMATE KING is highly regarded and over a suitable trip he is the one to beat off a handicap mark that he could rise above during this season. 4 LUCE VERDE made a good Highveld debut and did win over this trip in the strong centre of Cape Town so he should be a big runner here. 3 VESUVIO is in good form and is distance suited and he should be in the shake-up. 5 AMERICAN REBEL is well drawn and has the form to be involved although he is only and 4,5kg better off with The Ultimate King for a 6.2 length beating. (David Thiselton 1-4-3-5)

 

Race 7

 

5 PRETTY PERSUASIVE 3 SUMMER WINTER 1 FRANCILIEN 2 KOMATI RIVER

 

Preview: 5 PRETTY PERSUASIVE made a fine local debut and off an 89 merit rating, could follow up from a plum draw. 3 SUMMER WINTER disappointed last time but from a pole position draw over a slight step-up in trip she will enjoy, she could be right there. 1 FRANCILIEN returns from a rest but has some good form and has Gavin Lerena up from a good draw. 2 KOMATI RIVER disappointed last time but if returning to her best, she should be right there. (David Thiselton 5-3-1-2)

 

Race 8

 

1 RIFLE QUEEN 3 BLUSHING BLOOM 2 ON THE RUN 4 PRINCESS LOLA

 

Preview: 1 RIFLE QUEEN made a fine debut and could follow up with a reasonable 88 merit rating. 3 BLUSHING BLOOM won well last time and from pole position and Gavin Lerena up, should go close. 2 ON THE RUN won easily last time and should be in the shake-up again. 4 PRINCESS LOLA has the ability to be involved here from a good draw. (David Thiselton 1-3-2-4)

 

Race 9

 

2 RODEO DRIVE 4 BJORN IRONSIDE 5 FROZEN FANTASY 6 VULCANITE

 

Preview: 2 RODEO DRIVE was a bit disappointing last season, but has class and should be right there. 4 BJORN IRONSIDE also has class and should also be involved. 5 FROZEN FANTASY is second best in at the weights and is distance suited, but has a tough draw. 6 VULCANITE is an interesting entry because she has a lot of pace and is well drawn in this drop in trip. (David Thiselton 2-4-5-6)

Please Note: FNB will be offline on Sunday 17 August 2025 from 00h00 to 14h00 due to scheduled system maintenance.