THE Duke of York is to visit York Racecourse next week to present the trophy to the winner of the course's first £1million race.

The Duke, who is patron of the racecourse, will come next Wednesday to present the trophy to the vicor in the Juddmonte International.

He will be joined by Douglas Erskine Crum, chief executive of the Juddmonte Group.

A racecourse spokesman said horses would be seeking to follow such superstars as Frankel or Sea the Stars into the Winner’s Enclosure on the opening day.

"A mouth-watering race is in prospect with a host of Group 1 names considering a tilt at York’s blue riband, including the winner of the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas (Churchill), St James’s Palace hero (Barney Roy), the victor in the Coral-Eclipse (Ulysses) and Breeders’ Cup Turf champion, Highland Reel."