Zavateri primed for seven-furlong Group One on Ebor Day
Eve Johnson Houghton is planning to run her three-year-old Zavateri in the Group One City of York Stakes at York on Ebor Day after a promising reappearance at Goodwood. The colt missed spring targets, including a Guineas campaign and a Royal Ascot appearance, but produced an encouraging comeback when fifth to Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes.
Johnson Houghton has reported pleasing improvement since that Goodwood effort and confirmed that the shorter seven-furlong trip at York is the intended target. Connections view the horse as straightforward and expect him to be competitive among a high-quality field.
Key contenders and possible renewals
The City of York entry list features a number of high-profile names. Ten Bob Tony, last year’s Queen Anne winner, finished ahead of Zavateri at Goodwood and could cross swords with him again, while Lake Forest—fresh from success in the Lennox Stakes—also remains entered after running in the same Goodwood contest.
Other notable entries include Ballydoyle’s 1000 Guineas winner True Love, who heads a possible three-strong representation that also includes Puerto Rico and Dorset. Lockinge Stakes winner Notable Speech is entered and may contest the race despite dropping back in trip, while international interest could come from Japanese raider Satono Reve, who has been competitive in top-level sprints.
Wathnan Racing’s hand and other leading stables
Wathnan Racing could bring a strong team, with entries including Flora Of Bermuda, Native Warrior—recently a Group Three winner at Leopardstown—and Paborus, victor of the Chipchase. Andrew Balding and other leading trainers have representatives on the five-day declaration list, leaving the race poised to attract a balanced mix of speed and class.
Rising types and in-form horses
Rogue Diplomat, who finished runner-up in the Lennox, remains among the entries and could use the York contest to continue an upward trajectory. Damysus, fourth in the York Stakes on his most recent start, is engaged for the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes and would aim to improve on that performance if declared for the Group Two nine-furlong opener.
Supporting races: Strensall and Roses Stakes look competitive
The Strensall Stakes has attracted a compact but quality list, with 14 entries at the five-day stage. Alongside Damysus, John and Thady Gosden’s four-year-old figures among the leading contenders. The line-up also includes notable names such as Boiling Point (Karl Burke), Geryon (Ger Lyons), Persica (Richard Hannon) and Archivist (Hamd Al Jehani).
The Julia Graves Roses Stakes may present a strong test for three-year-old fillies. Wild Blossom, who impressed at Goodwood with an Alice Keppel Stakes victory, is likely to be favourite for connections combining Karl Burke and Wathnan Racing. Molecomb Stakes runner-up Adonius has been identified as a major threat among the 22 entries for that contest.
Festival implications and what to watch
- The City of York Stakes remains an intriguing seven-furlong Group One, mixing proven milers dropping back with specialist sprinters stepping up from six furlongs.
- Keep an eye on three-year-olds such as Zavateri, who are returning from setbacks and targeting late-summer opportunities after missing spring festivals.
- Entries from major yards, including Aidan O’Brien, John and Thady Gosden, Karl Burke and Wathnan Racing, underline the race’s importance on Ebor Day and its appeal to leading owners and trainers.
As declarations are finalised nearer to the meeting, the race will take shape further, but the current lists promise competitive and closely matched contests across York’s top summer card.
