WHAT could be more apt than choosing the Voltigeur Suite at York Racecourse's Knavesmire Stand for the glittering finals awards night for the 2004 Evening Press Business of the Year?

That third storey space - the biggest on offer at the racecourse - is named after the legendary thoroughbred who 153 years ago took part in a head-to-head race with another Yorkshire-trained colt, The Flying Dutchman.

It was an event said to have attracted 150,000 to Knavesmire and is now annually enshrined in the Ebor meeting's Great Voltigeur Stakes

Now thoroughbred businesses in 2004 are having their own head-to-head race for glory just a stone's throw away.

It continues a tradition of apt venues for the awards which for years were held in the Merchant Adventurers Hall in York - that wondrous 14th century Foss-side building where business people have gathered and parleyed for centuries.

Last year with burgeoning numbers clamouring to attend, the event moved to the racecourse's brand new Ebor stand; now the need is for bigger premises still.

The Voltigeur Suite was opened in 1996, winning a Civic Trust Royal Institute of British Architect's award. With its high balcony and large glass walls and pillars, it is reminiscent of being in the lounge of a grand cruise liner.

So, which of the two great horses was victorious?

Both Voltigeur and The Flying Dutchman had won the Derby and the St Leger in successive years.

The Flying Dutchman, was owned by Lord Eglinton, whose name is honoured at Ebor's nursery race.

Voltigeur, the younger horse by a year, was owned by the Earl of Zetland. Both contributed the prizemoney of today's equivalent of more than £63,000.

OK, no more bets. Did Voltigeur win?

"Of course not," says racecourse marketing manage James Brennan.

"But we devoted this building to his name because we have a fine English sense of the underdog - and whatever happened, he was a winner."

Bear that in mind all you finalists. You will have already proved yourselves and the world that you are among the top three best in your category.

That will be accolade enough...

Updated: 09:46 Tuesday, June 01, 2004