3 minute read

Victoria Racing Club has announced that York's Ebor Handicap will become a 'win-and-you're-in' race for the Melbourne Cup.

It will be the first event outside of Australia to hold automatic qualification status and is expected to encourage further participation of UK and Irish trainers in the Melbourne Cup.

"The Ebor handicap has been a proven pathway into the Melbourne Cup over the years and it is fantastic to be able to build on the association with Flemington and York racecourse," said Victoria Racing Club chief executive Steve Rosich.

"The introduction of a seventh golden ticket is exciting for both clubs and the connections of all potential Ebor runners. It further cements the Lexus Melbourne Cup's international reach and appeal."

York's Clerk of the Course and chief executive William Derby said: "It is fantastic to officially connect two iconic races in the Sky Bet Ebor and the Lexus Melbourne Cup with the introduction of a golden ticket for the Ebor winner into the race that stops a nation and indeed much of the world.

"With the York winner having finished in the top 10 at Flemington in three of the four years preceding the pandemic, this great news will give confidence to winning connections that that their start at Flemington is secure, further linking two great races.

"We look forward to welcoming the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup on all four days of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival (23-26 August) on its annual tour across the world. This makes us more hopeful that it can return to Britain after the first Tuesday in November."

Trainers Joseph O'Brien and Charlie Appleby have been responsible for three of the last six winners of the Melbourne Cup (Rekindling, Twilight Payment and Cross Counter) and last year's hero Gold Trip was originally campaigned in France before being sold to Australia.