Why Thirsk jockey Ben Curtis is hoping to pull off a shock in the £1m Juddmonte International Stakes as York’s Sky Bet Ebor Festival gets underway

The six-strong field, headed by Skipton-born trainer William Haggas’s unbeaten superstar Baaeed and last year’s winner Mishriff, are chasing a £567,000 first prize on the Knavesmire.

But in a year when outsider Pyledriver scorched to success in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and Karl Burke’s Leyburn-trained 40-1 outsider Holloway Boy won the Chesham Stakes at the Royal meeting on debut, could Curtis’s mount register the biggest shock of all?

He said: “I’m two from two on him now and it is brilliant that [trainer] William [Knight] and the owners have kept faith with me. It looks like a fantastic line up for the race so I am very excited.”

Curtis, 33, and Sir Busker won the Sky Bet York Stakes over the same one mile, two and a half furlongs distance as the Juddmonte last month, pipping Haggas’s Dubai Honour – another horse which stands its ground today – in a photo finish.

Curtis said that display helped persuade connections to have a tilt at the Juddmonte International Stakes, which is part of the QIPCO British Champions Series, a series of 35 of the best Flat races in the UK – and also York’s richest race.

He said: “I think that definitely swayed their hand. To run such a big race in the Sky Bet and win that gave them a realistic option of going for this. He raced in a lot of these top races and although he has come up short, it has not been by a long way. The step up in trip at York and application of the visor, the two of them brought out one of his best performances, so if you were ever going to go for a race like this, now is probably the time.”

Baaeed, who has won all his nine races, is a son of the brilliant Sea the Stars, who won the 2009 renewal in a course record time, under Mick Kinane.

“I was in John Oxx’s when Sea The Stars was there and Baaeed is probably one of the best he has sired,” said Curtis.

“To me he has a lot of the characteristics of his dad. He is very laid back, he travels very well through races and I think when he gets to the front he knows he has done enough.

“He is not as exuberant as some of the horses that have been champions in the past but he has beaten everything he has come up against.

“His dam [Aghareed] won at a mile and a quarter and his pedigree says the step up in trip won’t be a problem, William Haggas doesn’t think it will be a problem and he is the man that knows best.”

With Haggas withdrawing Alenquer yesterday, following a dirty scope, Curtis is still predicting a thrilling race.

He said: “Aidan O’Brien is sending over High Definition – he is obviously wanting to test Baaeed’s stamina; Mishriff [last year’s winner] needs no introduction, he has won around the world. Native Trail is no back number – there was only an neck between him and Mishriff in the Eclipse – while Sir Busker and Dubai Honour, there was only a photo between us at York.

“Sir Busker has run some good races in behind Baaeed and he will have to step up on what he has done before.

“But if you aren’t in it, you can’t win it and he’s run some fantastic races. I’m going there with 100 per cent confidence in my lad, I’ve never been beaten on him and cross my fingers and hope for the best.”

The Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York Racecourse is part of over 400 racing fixtures taking place across Britain this summer with something for everyone to enjoy. To find your local raceday visit www.greatbritishracing.com/everyonesturf