Ebor Festival’s prize fund receives extra £100,000 to increase York’s pot to £3.5m for four-day meeting

It means the total prize fund for the four-day festival will stand at a record £3.5m – an increase of £250,000 compared to last year.

None of the 25 contests will be worth less than £40,000 and the first six horses home in every race will be eligible for a share of the prize pot.

Significantly Tattersalls, who have sponsored the Musidora Stakes at the Dante Festival for 29 years, have extended their support to include the Group 3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes on the opening day of the Ebor meeting.

Prize money of £80,000 will also now be on offer to contenders in the Group Three Betfred Strensall and Betfred Melrose Stakes – two of the main support races on Ebor day.

York chief executive William Derby said: “I am delighted that York has once again demonstrated its commitment to invest in prize money and so develop the race programme on the Knavesmire.

“The aim remains to attract the very best horses to York and to stage competitive, compelling racing action.”