British EBF £100,000 Finals draw to a close with a thriller at York

Sun 9 Oct 2022

Friday 7 October at York hosted the second of two £100,000 races created and supported by the British arm of the European Breeders’ Fund. 

The initiative was established to give the progeny of reasonably priced stallions, high-value end of season targets, without the constraints of early closing entries and forfeit stages.  If the horse is EBF eligible and runs to place one through six in one of over 120 qualifying restricted races, it can be entered in to one of two 7f finals.

A little over a month ago the 13,000euro MUNCH surged to victory in the fillies’ final at Goodwood, leading her trainer, David Menuisier waxing lyrical about the prize pot. The race has already produced subsequent Dinger’s Gartencenter Koln-Winterkonigin Trial (Listed) winner SIRONA, that ran a credible second on ground that arguably did not suit.

The 13 strong field at York was headed by British Stallion Studs EBF Ripon Champion 2yo (Listed) winner SHOULDVEBEENARING and Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed) placed LEGEND OF XANADU. 

Also in the field was the unbeaten STREETS OF GOLD trained by Eve Johnson Houghton.  The son of Tweenhills Havana Gold was a £27,000 yearling purchase from Tattersalls Ireland and had previously take the Sky Bet Nursery at York’s Ebor Festival.  In a strongly run race, he travelled prominently to beat the Tim Easterby trained TYRONE’S POPPY by half a length.

STREETS OF GOLD is destined to graduate further with the Gr.3 Horris Hill on his itinerary along with an entry in next year’s Irish 2,0000 Guineas.

Winning trainer Eve Johnson Houghton told the media:

“He’s a pleasure to train and the staff have done an amazing job. He’s very tough and just loves it, but five on the bounce isn’t easy to do.  I’m thrilled with him and pleased for his owners.”

William Derby, Chief Executive and Clerk of the Course, said:

“We were delighted to be selected by the British EBF to stage this inaugural £100,000 final for juvenile colts and geldings. With two Ebor Festival winners in the field we were delighted with the strong line up of the race and it produced a tremendous result with STREETS OF GOLD remaining unbeaten. This is the 35th race with a six figure purse this season and this innovative series adds further interest and reward for connections and produced a compelling and competitive contest.” 

Rachael Gowland