York Racecourse: River of Stars wins feature race in Bronte Cup

Following last week's Dante Festival, this year's racing season is well underway, with the second event yesterday (May 28), the seven-day race card William Hill Bronte Cup.

Bronte Cup feature race (Image: Hannah Ali)

The feature race was the £102,000 William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies Stakes in which nine runners battled to post, won by River Of Stars for Ralph Beckett.

River of Stars with jockey Rossa Ryan (Image: Hannah Ali)

The horse won a Listed race at Chester last season before heading to Doncaster and coming home fifth in the Park Hill Stakes.

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Bronte Cup, at York Racecourse (Image: Hannah Ali)

The jockey, Rossa Ryan, said: “It played out well, if it wasn’t her first run of the year, I’d have probably let her roll along.

“In the middle part of the race we filled up a lot, you can see from the top of the straight she was just being a bit lairy.

“Kieran’s horse (O’Neill, Mimikyu) has just dragged me into the race, she knew where the line was and she stuck it out well.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if she gets a small bit further but it’s worked out great.

Racegoers (Image: Hannah Ali)

“Ralph’s been aiming her at this for a while and it worked out lovely.

“She had a lot to turn around from the Park Hill with the winner, but she’s turned it round. If they don't get away from her, like they didn't today, she grinds it out well

“She’s a light enough filly and I’d say she quite enjoyed that good ground, she’s just a bit on and off the bridle the whole way.

Racegoers (Image: Hannah Ali)

“If they don’t get away from her, like they didn’t today, she grinds it out well.

“She’s very versatile and it’s good for the owners, the team at home have done a great job, they’ve stuck faith in her and she’s paid them off.”

ABBA Tribute show at Bronte Cup (Image: Hannah Ali)

James Brennan, of York Racecourse commented about the day: “The Dante festival went very well last week, and this first Saturday also went really well.

“It’s been nice to see families enjoying the day, and the ABBA tribute act. People have enjoyed the first New York style Philly steak we’ve served and sandwiches on the terrace.

Racegoers on the rotating stage (Image: Hannah Ali)

"People have taken photos with the new 360-degree selfie stick  on the rotating stafe and the flower walls.

“We’ve had winners trained in Yorkshire which has been great. A horse named Dr Carr Junior won, dressed in colours of Rich Bond, a Yorkshire businessman who died.

“He was the first race and his family sponsored the second race.”