For Luke Morris, the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse always brings back cherished memories.
With over 2,000 career wins, Morris has secured 13 of those at York, but the highlight of his career came during the festival with two standout victories. Riding Marsha to win the Nunthorpe Stakes in 2017 and Alpinista in the Yorkshire Oaks five years later, Morris has experienced some of his greatest moments at this prestigious meeting.
Reflecting on his victories, Morris said, “I was incredibly fortunate to ride two superstar fillies at York. They remain my only domestic Group One wins, and York has always been a lucky venue for me. I’m excited about the week and hope to add more wins to my tally.”
Marsha, trained by Sir Mark Prescott, claimed a dramatic Nunthorpe Stakes victory where a photo finish was needed to decide the winner. Morris thought he had lost, but was elated when his saddlecloth was announced as the winner. “It was a great race with a lot of mixed emotions. I was stunned when the result went our way,” Morris recalled. “Marsha was incredibly fast, and winning with her was truly special.”
Five years later, Alpinista, also trained by Prescott, added to Morris's list of memorable wins. She had already secured four Group One victories in France and Germany before the Yorkshire Oaks in 2022. Starting as the 7-4 favourite, Alpinista overcame strong competition, including Tuesday, to win in front of a cheering home crowd. Her victory at York set the stage for her subsequent triumph in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“Alpinista was exceptional—tough and consistent,” Morris said. “Her performance at York was a crucial step before her Arc victory. Being associated with such a remarkable horse is something I’ll always cherish.”