Eustace Duo Targeting Sky Bet Ebor Glory at York
This year’s Sky Bet Ebor Handicap at York Racecourse on August 26th could see a changing of the guard, as trainer Harry Eustace aims to win the prestigious £500,000 contest for the first time. The 36-year-old Newmarket handler will be double-handed in his bid for victory, saddling both Crystal Delight and Ziggy for the historic race first run in 1843.
Eustace’s father, the now-retired trainer James Eustace, came agonizingly close to winning the Ebor on two occasions during his own career, and will no doubt be willing his son on to glory.
“During my first job in racing with Mark Tompkins I actually looked after Lusitanica, who was second behind Another Sam in the 1982 Ebor,” recalled the elder Eustace. “In 1995 I then had Midyan Blue beaten a short head by Sanmartino. I thought he had won, but Emma Balding, who was standing behind us, said I think you have been beaten. It turned out she was right and I will be forever grateful for that as it stopped us from making fools of ourselves.”
Crystal Delight, who joined Eustace’s yard from the retired William Jarvis, has already enjoyed a lucrative campaign, landing the Lilley Plummer Risks City And Suburban Handicap at Epsom Downs and the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap at York. The son of Cityscape was slightly disappointing when stepped up to Listed company last time out, but Eustace believes that effort can be overlooked.
“He is from a family that is notorious for improving with age,” the trainer explained. “He had good form last season, but just didn’t quite put it together. The race he won at York was a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Ebor, but it was slightly immaterial because of his mark, and we then deliberately missed Goodwood.”
Stablemate Ziggy has been a consistent performer for the yard in 2023, and his victory last time out in the Sky Bet, For The Fans Handicap at York booked his place in the Ebor field.
“We were desperate to make him a winner as he has been fantastic for us this year,” said Eustace. “His owners have been very patient because he has not been the most sound horse.”
Before the Ebor, Eustace will also be targeting a breakthrough Group 1 success with stable star Docklands in the lucrative Juddmonte International Stakes on the opening day of the festival.
“His form from the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot is picking up all the time with Charyn winning another Group One on Sunday,” the trainer noted. “This is his first time at a mile and a quarter, but we have been looking forward to running him over it for a while.”
With a strong team of horses set to represent the Highfield Stables yard at the prestigious Sky Bet Ebor Festival, it could be a memorable week for trainer Harry Eustace and his family.
🔗 Source