THE DARLEY Yorkshire Oaks has been confirmed as Europe's number one race for fillies and mares in the latest Longines World Rankings.

It is one of three Group One races that are staged every year at York along with the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes and the Juddmonte International which also figure highly on the list.

The Coolmore Nunthorpe is regarded as the best five furlong sprint in the world and the Juddmonte International is now ranked number three in Great Britain's list of thoroughbred horse races.

William Derby, chief executive and clerk of York racecourse, said: “This is a fantastic endorsement of the quality of racing at York.

"For each of our Group One races to feature so strongly on a global list is a tremendous tribute to everyone associated with York Racecourse.

"We remain hugely grateful and appreciative of the support we receive from so many individuals and organisations in helping stage top quality racing," he added.

"Having featured so strongly in these rankings is a huge accolade for York, Yorkshire, and British racing. We are determined to keep building on this award and to keep delivering fantastic racing action, facilities, and experience at York into the future.”

The Longines World Rankings are compiled annually by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

The Darley Yorkshire Oaks is the highlight of Ladies Day at the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival every August.

In 2016, it provided Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien with a memorable 1-2 as Seventh Heaven and Found led the field home.

The Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes was won for the second year running by Mecca’s Angel who is based in County Durham with trainer Michael Dods and ridden by Paul Mulrennan.

The Juddmonte International, won last year by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Postponed, is the feature of the opening day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival.

To earn the accolades, the first four horses in each race over the last three seasons are assessed on official performance ratings allocated by the International Panel of Thoroughbred Handicappers.

As a further indication of the high quality of horses attracted to York, the individual ratings awarded to Postponed and Found meant they were the best in Europe in the categories of older colt and mare, respectively.

The three Group One races at York have each benefited from consistent investment and support by long-standing bloodstock sponsors, Juddmonte Farms, Darley and Coolmore.