York eyeing extra large stalls for Ebor

YORK racecourse is set to import an extra large set of starting stalls from Australia which would enable the historic Ebor Handicap to have more runners.

Racemail revealed earlier this year that the signature race at York’s August meeting was going to become a new £1million superhandicap. That will be achieved by 2019 with this year’s running worth £500,000 after a new sponsorship deal with Sky Bet. Starting berths will be in big demand in a race previously restricted to 20 starters. Standard starting stalls currently used in Britain come in units which house 10, 12, 15 or 17 berths. For races with more runners two sets

have to be pushed together with the infrastructure between sets wasting space. That is eliminated with one big set of stalls.

Racemail understands that York are waiting for the BHA to approve their use, as well as weighing up the costs of buying and shipping. York spokesman James Brennan said: ‘This is something we are exploring but we are not quite there yet.’ Meanwhile, trainer Ian Williams says Magic Circle will run next in the Lonsdale Cup at the Ebor meeting.