THE Ebor Festival got under starters orders today (Wednesday, August 22) and spirits were high - even with a few ominous clouds.

The weather threatened to put a dampener on the annual Juddmonte International, which has been run at York Racecourse since 1972, but the rain held off all afternoon.

Racecourse marketing manager James Brennan said: “We’re up and running and the weather forecast for Thursday is better.

“The crowd so far is up by about six or seven per cent on last year to 18,000 and this afternoon we were awarded our plaque for the Racecourse of the Year title."

The title is voted for by members of the Racegoers Club and this is the second year running that they have voted York into the top spot.

And the punters didn’t seem to mind the fresher weather.

Pennita Wilshire, from Helmsley, was there with her friends, Victoria Skilbeck, Vicky Robinson and Sarah Proctor.

She said the races were a special occasion and they all loved getting dressed up to the nines.

Pennita said: “We love this meet, we’re here every day, in fact.

“It’s a day out, it’s great to get dressed up, see our friends, meet people, have a drink and have a little bit of a flutter.”

As well as going to town on her own outfit, Pennita, who owns an eponymous designer boutique in Helmsley, loves looking out for her frocks on other ladies at the races.

Pals Jane Hernon and Jan Loft, from York, also had a flutter, however Jane said: “I tried on the first race and I don’t think that horse even got out of bed this morning!”

The four-day festival, which runs until Saturday, is set to offer record prize money approaching £5 million, and will attract some of the top-rated horses in the world.

Every day, racegoers will be able to show off their sartorial style on the Ebor Fashion Lawn.

The fun contest includes various categories, including Best Dressed Lady, which should prove extremely competitive when the fasionistas are out in force on Ladies Day on Thursday - the social highlight of the York racegoers' calendar.

Ladies Day plays host to the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, which was won by Enable in 2017.

Friday sees the Coolmore Nunthorpe stakes, York’s fastest race, while Saturday is the Sky Bet Ebor handicap, the course’s oldest and most famous race named after the town itself.

The weather looks set to remain cool for the rest of the week, so jackets will be required, but that shouldn’t cool racegoers’ enthusiasm.