Ebor meeting shortened due to waterlogged York

Ebor meeting shortened due to waterlogged York

Heavy rain has claimed the first two days of York's Ebor meeting after the

Northern England course was waterlogged Tuesday. Having abandoned the opening

day's action in the morning, officials announced the loss of Wednesday's card by

mid-afternoon and are looking at the possibility of rescheduling the Juddmonte

International S. (Eng-G1) and other group races lost. While the International

had initially been penciled in for Friday as soon as the abandonment was

announced, York and the British Horseracing Authority are working together on a

definite plan regarding the fate of the feature race. An inspection is due at 12

p.m. local time Wednesday to decide whether racing can take place on Thursday.

"It's hugely disappointing for everyone. It's our flagship meeting and it's

desperately disappointing to lose two days," Clerk of the Course William Derby

said. "It had dried out nicely during the afternoon with some strong wind and

sunshine and we were heading in the right direction, but then we got an absolute

soaking and the Met Office issued a severe weatherwarning. That put paid to

Wednesday's racing and it's a very unsettled picture, as there are showers and

brighter spells around so if we could have a period of consistently drying

conditions we would be hopeful for Thursday. We will look again at noon on

Wednesday and we may have to look again in the afternoon."