The final day of the 2026 York Ebor Festival is the Ebor Handicap Day, which will see seven races take place once again.

The action gets underway on Saturday, August 22, with the first race at 22:50 AEST. The feature race is the Ebor Handicap, scheduled for 00:35 AEST.

Quick Picks

Our pick: Tarriance to win

Value bet: Zavateri each-way

Long shot: Each-Way on Ascending

Betting Preview

The Ebor Handicap race is run over a distance of one mile, five furlongs, and 188 yards, and is one of the most competitive handicap races of the British flat season. It is a race for horses aged 4+, with a maximum field of 22.

The winning horse and connections will receive around AU$570,000 in prize money, making it one of the richest races of the entire festival.

Ethical Diamond won the 2025 Ebor Handicap at York, sent off as the favourite. He was ridden by William Buick and trained by Willie Mullins, winning in 2m 59.16s from Ascending.

The other top race on Ebor Handicap Day is the City of York Stakes at 00:00 AEST, as it is the only Group 1 meeting. With it open to horses aged three and up, it is run over a distance of 7 furlongs, and offers a prize pot of around AU$650,000.

Betting Markets to Watch

Tarriance is the likely favourite to win the 2026 Ebor Handicap, although odds could change once the field has been set and declarations have been made.

He is likely to lead the odds after winning the 2025 Melrose Handicap last year, which is run over the same York course and distance.

Although he finished fourth at Goodwood at the beginning of August, that has been viewed by many as a positive run, suggesting he is back to his best and ready for this upcoming handicap.

Last year’s runner-up, Ascending , could have value worth exploring in the odds as an each-way if declared. The 7-year-old might not have been in the very best form, which is why his odds are likely to be inflated. 

However, he has proved he can compete in this race, showing he can handle York, the marathon trip, and the big-race pressure.

In the City of York Stakes, Notable Speech has been made the favourite. He is a five-time Group 1 winner and a Lockinge Stakes winner, who is dropping back to a distance of 7f for this race.

Zavateri could hold some value, though, having won last year’s Group 1 National Stakes and boasting a high rating for a 3-year-old. He will also get weight from the older horses, which could help him over a distance he is comfortable with.

Our Prediction

Check the latest horse racing betting odds at Sportsbet.

Tarriance is our likely winner of the Ebor Handicap race, with Ascending offering long shot value in the each-way .

Our value pick is Zavateri in the City of York Stakes as an each-way , given the potential he has shown in recent meets and the weight he will receive in the handicap.