Upped to Group 1 status in 2025, the City Of York Stakes is the perfect starter for the Ebor half an hour later. A top-class field will assemble, with 14 runners providing depth and intrigue on the Knavesmire.
GG tipster Joe Napier previews the second top level edition of the race below. He gives his verdict and analysis of all the key players running in York‘s premier stakes race.
2026 City Of York Stakes Runners
Notable Speech has long threatened to be top class over shorter than 1m. A 2000 Guineas, Sussex Stakes and Lockinge Stakes hero, he has the CV of a miler, and was slightly disappointing on his only start over shorter to date. That was over 6f though and his potent turn-of-foot could be displayed to very good effect here.
This is a deep Group 1 though for his first race over 7f. Lake Forest has already excelled over this distance and was second when not getting a clear run in this 12 months ago. He has twice won at the trip this term, including in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. He sets a tall standard, while Zavateri has the potential to set the bar higher at 7f. His fifth in the Sussex Stakes from well back in the field was respectable and he has clearly trained on even from being a high-class juvenile.
Another class angle is the resurgent Ten Bob Tony. Ed Walker’s five-year-old has improved beyond recognition the last thrice. His win at Epsom over 7f, beating reliable yardstick Witness Stand, shows he still handles cut in the going, but he can also go on top of the ground now, as evidenced by his shock 50/1 Queen Anne win at Royal Ascot. That has proven o be no fluke though, as he was fourth in the Sussex Stakes on the coattails of Bow Echo and Gstaad. If in that sort of form back at 7f, he will be bang there too.
Japanese raider Satono Reve continues to have no luck on these shores. Twice second by tiny margins at Royal Ascot, he was recently third in the July Cup. That effort hinted 7f will be within reach and he can go well.
Others of interest abound in a deep field, all of whom have a chance of sorts. Puerto Rico is in on his own merit for Aidan O’Brien here and it is easy to forget he was an odds-on favourite for a French Classic. It is also easy for Powerful Glory‘s 200/1 Group 1 win to slip from the memory, but he is clearly capable of a big effort and 7f may suit him too. Marvelman, for the in-form Andrew Balding, and the lightly-raced Paborus, also need at least a second look.
2026 City Of York Stakes Racecard
15:00 York
Good To SoftSky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1)
- Flat Turf
- Turf
- 0m 7f 0y
- Class 1
- 14 runners
- Win time: 1m 24s
- First Prize: £340,260
- 2nd: £129,000
- 3rd: £64,560
- 4th: £32,160
- 5th: £16,140
- 6th: £8,100
9/4 (Won)
- Win: £3.25
- Place: £1.55
prominent, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on well final furlong, comfortably
6/1
- Place: £2.50
towards rear, headway on far side of group over 2f out, hung left inside final furlong, no chance with winner but kept on and went second final strides
18/1
- Place: £5.60
soon led, headed over 1f out, no extra when lost second final strides
3/1
ducked right start, towards rear, short of room under 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, went fourth final strides
8/1
soon in touch with leaders, no impression but kept on final furlong
28/1
prominent, weakened gradually inside final furlong
18/1
dwelt start, in rear, switched left and some headway on far side of group from 2f out, no impression inside final furlong
22/1
in touch with leaders on outer, headway and went second over 2f out, lost position over 1f out, soon weakened
12/1
reluctant to load, in touch with leaders, lost position and towards rear after 2f, some headway over 2f out, weakened 1f out
9/1
blindfold off late, soon in touch with leaders, weakened over 1f out
66/1
prominent, weakened under 3f out
33/1
soon raced in second, lost position over 2f out, soon weakened
33/1
in rear, weakened 2f out
40/1
short of room soon after start, in rear, dropped to last 3f out, soon eased, tailed off
Non-runners
Zodiac Bear
+o+e Betting Returns
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £25.60 |
| Straight Forecast | £15.96 |
| Tricast | £191.12 |
| Trifecta | £281.50 |
Selections
City Of York Stakes Trends 2026
There has only been one renewal of this contest since it became a Group 1. Never So Brave scored for Andrew Balding, whose yard is excelling this week. They run Marvelman this year.
2026 City Of York Stakes Tips
A rock solid option over 7f-1m, Ten Bob Tony continues to be underrated, but his effort in the Sussex Stakes, perhaps the strongest race of the season, was extremely likeable. His win in the Queen Anne came on merit and is potentially the classiest form on offer. Lake Forest excels at this trip and can go closest, while Zavateri could step forward again after also running promisingly in the Sussex.
FAQs
When and where is the City Of York Stakes?
The City Of York Stakes will take place at York racecourse on Saturday 22 August 2026 at 3pm.
How can I watch the City Of York Stakes on Saturday?
The City Of York Stakes is live on ITV Racing at 3pm on Saturday.
When were the City Of York Stakes tips published?
The tips for the City Of York Stakes were published at 11.45am on Friday 21 August.
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