The York Ebor Festival is upon us, and what a lineup we have on day one. The Great Voltigeur Stakes is a notable highlight, and we’ve got a star-studded field to sift through for the latest odds, tips and predictions.
At 1m 3f 188y, it’s a middle-distance Group 2 race open to 3yo colts and geldings. The unseasonably good weather that the UK has been enjoying this summer means the current going will be Good (Good-Firm in places), so we can remove any variables that come into play on the slower ground.
In terms of trends, favourites have dominated in recent years, and most winners come from the top three in the York Ebor Festival betting. There’s a slight low-draw bias for the race, but we’ve seen horses struggle from stall one as the field veers that way, causing them to get trapped. It’s not a deal breaker, but something to note.
It’s not surprising to see Aidan O’Brien dominate in the trainer records, with Continuous (2023) and the brilliant Los Angeles (2024) putting the Irish yard firmly at the top in recent years.
Great Voltigeur Stakes Odds
The latest Great Voltigeur Stakes odds are now live, and we’ve used the best horse racing betting sites to find the best prices from around the industry.
| Horse | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Lambourn | 1/2 | bet365 |
| Carmers | 6/1 | BetMGM |
| Bay City Roller | 8/1 | BetMGM |
| Stay True | 8/1 | bet365 |
| Arabian Force | 10/1 | bet365 |
| Pride of Arras | 10/1 | BetMGM |
| Mount Kilimanjaro | 20/1 | bet365 |
| Furthur | 25/1 | BetMGM |
| Aftermath | 40/1 | BetMGM |
| Shackleton | 50/1 | BetMGM |
| Thrice | 60/1 | BetMGM |
*Odds correct as of 10:30am BST 18/08/2025. Odds subject to change.
Leading Contenders – Form and Fit
Lambourn (A. O’Brien) – Sets the Standard
Lambourn is the current Epsom Derby and Irish Derby winner, and comes into the Great Voltigeur Stakes as a strong odds-on favourite. He’s now rated at a career-high 120 thanks to three consecutive Group 1 victories and carries a 5lb penalty for his troubles.
This is a race that will suit. He’s proven at 12f, will enjoy the Good going, and tactically he’s got the skills to make light work of this field. If he runs to anywhere near his potential, he wins. It’s as simple as that.
Carmers (P. Twomey) – The Next Best
Carmers is the best of the rest and unbeaten in his last three races, with an impressive win in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last time out. He can stay at 1m 6f, so moving back to 12f will play into his hands to utilise more of that raw speed he’s now famous for.
Tactically, he needs to improve, and this is why you can get him for as long as 6/1 in places. It’s a huge price and is without doubt the next best, but this is more reflective of Lambourn’s talents than Carmers' limited skillset.
Pride of Arras (R. Beckett) – Course Form and New Gelding
After two wins from his first two races, Pride of Arras has sadly failed to kick on. He ran poorly in both the Derby and Irish Derby, which will be cause for some concern in trainer Ralph Beckett’s yard.
What he does have is course form, winning the Dante Stakes in May at 1m 2f. The drop-down in class and shorter distance than the two Classics will help, and his price compensates this to a degree.
Bay City Roller (G. Scott) – Big Talent, Questions Over Stamina
When you talk about heart and desire, Bay City Roller has it in bags. He’s a high-class 7f/1m performer who has shaped up superbly well at 10f.
The Great Voltigeur Stakes will be his first foray into 12f, and his pedigree and run-style suggest that he might not stay all that well. Priced at 8/1, he looks skinny, but this is one of those where you roll the dice on a what-if and who knows, he may surprise us all as he’s definitely got the talent.
Great Voltigeur Stakes Tips and Predictions
| Tips | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Carmers to Win “Without Lambourn” | 2/1 | bet365 |
| Lambourn > Carmers – Straight Forecast | 3/1 | bet365 |
| Pride of Arras – Each Way | 10/1 | bet365 |
*Odds correct as of 10:30am BST 18/08/2025. Odds subject to change.
No Expiry Date
If Lambourn runs to his potential, his odds on price of 1/2 might actually look decent value. But it’s too short to really get excited about, so we’ve switched our attention to the “Without Lambourn” market.
Carmers is the next cab off the rank and one of the few that can legitimately beat Lambourn. He’s battle-ready, proven over 12f and in good form.
Alternatively, the straight forecast is ideally set up for this race, and we’ve picked our two superstars to get the job done here. Not much more to add on what’s already been said, so a Lambourn-Carmers one-two is the play here.
If you’re looking for some each-way value, Pride of Arras gets the nod. He’s back to his favourite track, and course form is huge in these types of races. If he can settle early without too many dramas, the distance shouldn’t be an issue, so a top two finish at his 10/1 starting price looks excellent value as he attempts to bounce back from two disappointing Derby runs.
