KING of Knavesmire David O’Meara said retaining his crown was “very special”.

The Nawton-based handler was lauded as the top trainer on York Racecourse for a second successive year after Open Eagle (9-1) ensured a concerted challenge from Malton's Richard Fahey was beaten off.

The victory, in the final race of the 2014 campaign - the Coldstream Guards Association Cup, made it ten winners on the track for O’Meara in the 2014 season but also brought up a century during the year for jockey Danny Tudhope.

The trainer, who has celebrated two Group 1 victories during a golden summer, said: “It was great for Danny to get his 100th winner. He only missed out on the York jockey’s title on second places and he has had a great year.

“It was fantastic ride and we are lucky to have him. It’s great to win at York. We are surrounded by great owners and this caps off such a really good year for us.”

“Custom Cut would be high up there,” he added when asked what his favourite moment was of the York year.

“He showed a great attitude to beat Trade Show (in the Strensall Stakes). There was also G Force winning in May. There have been plenty. They are all special.

“It is a big thing – to come out on top here is very special. To do it twice is even more so.”

Earlier in the season-ending seven race card, Fahey had narrowed the gap to just one when Imshivalla racked up her fourth win of the season, and his eighth at York, when leading from start to finish in the £25,000 sportingbet.com Stakes.

The 25-1 shot, under five pound claimer Jack Garritty, had a length in hand on Examiner and gave her owners, the York-based Pow Partnership, a wonderful day out on their local track.

“I am delighted for the lads – they have been with me a long time and, for them, having a winner at York is like Sheikh Mohammed winning the Derby,” Fahey said.

“She got a great ride and I am delighted. I thought she was a bit hairy and perhaps over the top but she is tough and genuine. She has had a great season and she will stay in training.”

Tim Easterby, meanwhile, is planning a channel expedition for Mattmu (2-1 fav) after watching him dominate the Listed coral.co.uk Rockingham Stakes.

The Great Habton trainer’s two-year-old led from the start of the six furlong £45,000 contest – seeing off Bond’s Girl by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

It was some compensation for Easterby after the juvenile failed to land a big-money sales race at Doncaster last month and was pipped by Limato at Redcar last week.

Easterby now indicated that the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons Laffitte will be the son of Indesatchel’s next port of call.

“He loves to get his toe in. He’s a very tough horse, as hard as nails, and we will go to France next at Maisons-Lafitte.”

The £75,000 Coral Sprint Trophy was won by Spinatrix (12-1).

Ryan Moore wasn’t at York for the final day but his nine winners were still enough to land him the top jockey prize as he enjoyed more second place finishes throughout the year than Tudhope.