Main events, runners and riders at York Racecourse's May Festival

The chief executive and clerk of the course can point to a sparkling array of entries for the big races at the May Festival, which gets under way on Knavesmire on Wednesday and runs until Friday.

In the wake of Frankel’s victory in the Juddmonte International last August, and an overall nine per cent increase in prize funds this time around, the racecourse continues to thrive in an uncertain economic market-place.

“2012 was such a fabulous year at York with Frankel and the race season we had and the challenge now is how does one top that and go on from that,” Derby said.

“Success breeds success. Everything points to a very exciting 2013 season. Some really exciting horses are entered for the meeting.

“We have had a record number of entries in the four Group 2 races. All the top names that you would want to be there are there. Hopefully they will all line up.

“Some of the most famous names in the sport are supporting the races at York and it will provide great sport next week.

“That’s what we are all about – providing quality horse racing and to see so many Group 1 winners that will come to start their seasons here is a great fillip for everyone.

“The racecourse looks a picture and the flowers are blooming. It is one of those meetings that people always say is among their absolute favourite.”

So who better than Derby to take you through the key contests, and the main runners and riders, next week at York?

The Duke of York Stakes Wednesday, May 15

“There are a host of previous York winners entered – last year’s champion Tiddliwinks, Hoof It and Bogart, while David Barron will be bringing Pearl Secret, a horse he has described as the best he has ever trained.

“There is some real quality in there and a lot of Group 1 winners, who have won all over the world.

“It is looking like it could be an absolutely cracking sprint on the opening day of the season and it will be fascinating to see who finally lines up. It is one of those races where it could really be ‘hold on to your hats’.”

Betfred Middleton Stakes Thursday, May 16

“The Fugue is coming and she won the Musidora Stakes last year and won a Group 1 in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood before being runner-up in the Yorkshire Oaks at the Ebor Festival. She’s a great filly and has had a nice lay-off.

“We have had a record entry of 25 for the race and last year’s Oaks winner, Was, is also among the entries.

“There is a whole host of top-class fillies, all of whom are there to win it, and some of whom are at the start of their older campaigns.”

Betfred Dante Stakes Thursday, May 16

“Authorized was the last horse to win the Dante and the Derby, in 2007, but Workforce was second in the race and Carlton House, who won the Dante the year before last, was a fast-finishing third in the Queen’s colours at Epsom.

“There are five Yorkshire horses entered this year, two for Mark Johnston, one for Elaine Burke, Ann Duffield and Kevin Ryan, and it would be amazing if Middleham – last victorious in the Derby with Dante in 1945 – could perform well.

“No horse has failed to do well at York and then done really well in the Derby. The Dante is the most valuable and premier Derby trial and it is certain there will be a quality line-up.

“It also opens the way for a lot of exciting middle-distance prizes later on in the season. It is THE distance in world racing. There are so many great races at ten furlongs and we will see if a horse that wins the Dante goes on to these.”

Yorkshire Cup Friday, May 17

“It is the first of the stayers’ cup races and part of the British Champions Series. A lot of these horses have run in the big cup races or will be going to the likes of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Lonsdale back here at the Ebor Festival.

“It is a race which has proved itself year after year. We will see some top-class stayers and it will be a very interesting race. It will bring to an end a great three days to start the season again at York.”