The world's best Flat race to be worth £1 million once again in 2021

York will resume racing next month without spectators, but with the prize-money for its best races restored to pre-pandemic levels.

The Juddmonte International, which was rated the best Flat race in the world last year by the Longines IFHA Committee, will again be worth £1 million at the track's Ebor meeting in August after being run for £275,000 last season.

"We wanted to make a positive announcement that reflects what York believes is in the shared best interest of the sport"

The Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes and Darley Yorkshire Oaks will also return to their 2019 values of £400,000 (£250,000 in 2020) in August, as will next month's Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (£165,000, three times the 2020 fund of £55,000).

York hopes to make further positive announcements for other races at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor festival should crowds return in significant numbers, and chief executive William Derby said: "York is proud of its record of investing in prize-money to help sustain the wider racing industry and to attract the best horses to the Knavesmire.

"This is a time when that strategy needed to be confirmed and we are pleased to be able to commit to returning these four feature contests to their pre-Covid levels. 

"Clearly, the world is still in a difficult place and we will hugely miss the presence of spectators at the Dante festival. However, we wanted to make a positive announcement that reflects what York believes is in the shared best interest of the sport that everyone involved with the Knavesmire loves. The backing of our sponsors and supporters is deeply appreciated."

The Group 2 Dante Stakes is often the key trial for the Cazoo Derby, and the 72 entries for this year's race on May 13 include the current Epsom favourite High Definition.

From the Racing Post by David Carr