Dante Festival 2025 is set to make a grand entrance at York Racecourse from May 14 to May 16, 2025, promising an exciting three-day showcase of elite flat racing. As the first of fourteen Premier Race Days of the year, the festival kicks off York’s 2025 season in spectacular fashion. With favourable weather forecasts, racegoers can look forward to enjoying all the action in ideal conditions. The festival arrives with enhanced prestige, as York was recently named Racecourse of the Year 2024 by the Racecourse Association Showcase judges—further proof of its rising prominence in British horse racing.
This year, York Racecourse is set to offer a record-breaking investment of over £12 million in prize money, reflecting a 36% increase compared to 2019. Additionally, even though there will be fewer race days in 2025 than in 2024—seventeen last year—the overall prize pool has grown by approximately £800,000. These increases highlight York’s growing stature in the racing world and the strong public and stakeholder support that continues to drive it forward.
The festival begins on Wednesday, May 14 with the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes headlining a seven-race card. The afternoon starts at 2:10 PM with the Race To The Ebor Jorvik Stakes, a 1 mile 4 furlong contest offering £65,000 in prize money. This is followed at 2:42 PM by the Churchill Tyres Stakes, a 6-furlong race worth £60,000. The high-value 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes, with a £150,000 prize and run over 6 furlongs, takes place at 3:13 PM. At 3:45 PM, the highlight Tattersalls Musidora Stakes will offer £130,000 for a distance of 1 mile 2 furlongs. The afternoon continues with the Conundrum HR Consulting Stakes at 4:18 PM over 7 furlongs for £25,000, the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at 4:55 PM over 5 furlongs for £40,000, and concludes with the Stuey Weston & Friends Getting Out Stakes at 5:25 PM over 1 mile 4 furlongs with £25,000 in prize money. Gates will open at 11:15 AM.
The second day of the festival falls on Thursday, May 15 and features another compelling seven-race card, headlined by the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes. The day kicks off at 2:10 PM with the Lindum York Stakes (5 furlongs, £60,000), followed by the Oakmere Homes Hambleton Stakes at 2:42 PM (1 mile, £75,000). At 3:13 PM, the prestigious Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes takes place, offering £150,000 over 1 mile 2 furlongs. The spotlight race of the day, the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes, is scheduled for 3:45 PM and will offer £180,000 over 1 mile 2 furlongs. The British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes follows at 4:18 PM, covering 5 furlongs for £70,000. Next up is the Frank Whittle Partnership EBFstallions.com Novice Stakes at 4:55 PM, a 6-furlong contest worth £30,000. The day concludes with The Stakes at 5:25 PM, a 1 mile 6 furlong race with a purse of £27,500. As with the first day, the gates will open at 11:15 AM.
The festival concludes on Friday, May 16 with the highly anticipated Boodles Yorkshire Cup as the feature race of the day. Seven races are again on the agenda, starting at 2:10 PM with the Clipper EBF Marygate Stakes (5 furlongs, £70,000). This is followed at 2:42 PM by the Knights Solicitors Stakes, a 1 mile 2 furlong event offering £60,000. The third race is The Stakes at 3:13 PM over 1 mile with a prize of £70,000. The Boodles Yorkshire Cup, the highlight of the final day, takes place at 3:45 PM and offers a significant £180,000 over a distance of 1 mile 6 furlongs. Racing continues at 4:15 PM with the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Stakes (5 furlongs, £25,000), followed by the Darley EBF Novice Stakes at 4:55 PM, which offers £40,000 over 1 mile. The festival wraps up at 5:25 PM with the Yorkshire Equine Practice Stakes, a 7-furlong race worth £25,000. Gates will again open at 11:15 AM.
In a commendable initiative, York will also be observing Mental Health Awareness Week throughout the festival, partnering with Racing Welfare. The festival will also include behind-the-scenes tours led by Robert Earnshaw, a former professional jockey and Cheltenham Gold Cup winner. These tours aim to give fans a deeper connection to the sport and highlight the importance of mental well-being in the racing industry. Meanwhile, the popular York Kitchen & Café will continue to serve local favorites such as Yorkshire puddings and homemade pie meals, adding to the warm and festive atmosphere of the event. With thrilling races, record-breaking prize funds, and thoughtful community engagement, the Dante Festival 2025 is poised to be one of the standout racing events of the year. See you at the races!
