Champagne crowds see York's Ebor race festival (Video)

The Ebor Racing Festival, now regarded universally as "the Royal Ascot of the North", got underway with a bang as more than 15,000 people flocked to Knavesmire for the beginning of the famous four-day meeting.

Any fears of an opening day washout quickly disappeared as the overnight rain made way for a glorious afternoon of blue skies and warm August sunshine, bringing further cheer to crowds already spellbound by a fantastic day's racing.

They witnessed a thrilling finish from the hotly-tipped Rip Van Winkle as he came from deep in the field to take first prize in the big race of the day, the Juddmonte International, by a whisker from Twice Over.

Fan's favourite Franke Dettori also had them cheering in the grandstands with a fine win on Rewilding in the Great Voltigeur, before further pleasing the crowds with a trademark flying dismount in the winner's enclosure.

Meanwhile thousands of people enjoyed one of the biggest days out in the region's sporting calendar, sipping glasses of Moet on the champagne lawn and picnicking on the freshly-mowed grass beside the winner's post.

The usual mix of sharp suits and tweed jackets, flowery summer dresses and outrageous headwear added to the decadent atmosphere for which the festival has become known.

In the five years since York played host to the real Royal Ascot in 2005, Ebor has grown into a key fixture on the racing calendar and one of the region's most important summer events, pulling in people from across the country and beyond.

Yesterday's attendance figures of 15,200 were slightly disappointing for the first day, however, down nine per cent on last year. Organisers blamed a poor weather forecast but said they expect numbers to recover quickly over the next two days.

Gary Verity, chief executive of tourist board Welcome to Yorkshire, which sponsors the event, said: "This event is massive now. Last year there were over 80,000 people here over the four days, and this year the advance ticket sales in advance are 12.5 per cent up. So with a bit of luck with the weather, which we're having so far, I think you'll find there will be a massive turnout."

Mr Verity stressed the important role Ebor now plays in the region's calendar.

"We saw the potential with Royal Ascot when it was held here five years ago, " he said. You could see there was the opportunity to have something really big here. Ebor will be very, very big economically for Yorkshire going forward.

"People are not only coming from all over the country but from all over the world. The hotels will all be full this week – a lot of money will be going into the pockets and bank accounts of people here."

The pounds were certainly flowing at the countless bookies and refreshment stalls scattered across the racecourse yesterday, as punters enjoyed a flutter, a drink or two and the food.

Heading for a stylish victory

For some of the region's more glamorous ladies, a trip to Ebor means only one thing – the chance to flaunt a truly extravagant piece of headwear.

Although the real fun gets under way tomorrow with Ladies' Day, a vast array of strange, stylish and shockingly colourful hats could be spotted all around the course yesterday.

Those who had turned up ill-prepared were generally making a beeline for Yvette Jelfs' designer hat stall beside the Rockingham Bar, where a selection of her hand-made haute couture is up for sale.

"Hats will always be in style – this year and any other, " she said.

Seeking the celebrities having a day out

Celebrity-spotting is always a popular sport at Ebor – second only to the racing, perhaps – but yesterday's picking were sadly rather thin on the ground.

Last year's opening day was graced by stars including Manchester United legends Sir Alex Ferguson and Bryan Robson, Hollywood actor Clive Owen and TV chef Brian Turner.

This year we had to make do with former England and Wolves footballer Steve Bull, above, a living legend in Wolverhampton, no doubt, but perhaps not the most recognisable face around North Yorkshire. He was drafted in to present jockey Kieren Fallon with his winner's trophy after he came home first on Waiter's Dream.

Former snooker star-turned-TV presenter John Virgo was spotted around the course, while the original Calendar Girls were apparently all enjoying a day at the races as well. Here's hoping today will bring in a few more big names.