LADIES' day turned out to be the highlight of a successful Ebor Meeting at York Racecourse with a star-studded crowd and a North Yorkshire-owned winner.

Nuclear Debate, a horse trained in France but owned by Bob Chester of Sherriff Hutton, near York, won the Victor Chandler Nunthorpe Stakes group one race and walked away with a cheque for £78,838.

Meanwhile, the racecourse was a sea of colour as women competed against each other to turn up in the most outrageous and eye-catching outfits.

The winner was Nikki Schofield, of Huddersfield, a milliner who had an elegant look and striking hat which was one of her own creations.

Racecourse spokesman James Brennan said: "The sun shone on us all day and people thoroughly enjoyed it, and the crowd was up again by more than 2,500 people on last year.

"This is not a record because the first day was affected by the dramatic weather on Monday which put a few people off. The last few days have been very big, though, and the total for the meeting is 76,751, which is 3,051 more than last year."

Other notable winners over the three days were Royal Rebel, trained by North Yorkshire's Mark Johnston, and Giant's Causeway, which won its fourth consecutive group one race at York.

Royal Rebel won the group three race the Wetherby Insurance Lonsdale Stakes, which is the longest race of the year, and Giant's Causeway won the Juddmonte International, which is the richest race of the year.

Mr Brennan said: "There was a great finish. Giant's Causeway won a very tight finish giving it four group one wins this year. There are only 25 group one races in the country so to win four in a row is an impressive feat."

Among the rich and famous who visited the race meeting were foreign secretary Robin Cook, Sir Alex Ferguson, John Prescott, Kevin Keegan and a host of soap stars from Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

Mr Brennan said: "Robin Cook even did some tipping for us. He came down to the parade ring and took part in the punters' panel where a member of the racing public is asked what they think is going to win.

"I think he did as well as the professionals."