TERUNTUM Star claimed top honours in the Coral Sprint Trophy at York Racecourse on Saturday.

Ridden by Kevin Stott, Kevin Ryan's inmate had a whale of the time on the Knavesmire and was too quick for Spring Loaded, who finished a length and three-quarters away in the valuable five-furlong dash.

Flying Pursuit and Eastern Impact were third and fourth respectively in front of 20,676 spectators.

North Yorkshire trainer Ryan said: "I thought Teruntum Star had a great chance in the Ayr Gold Cup (which was abandoned) and wasn't worried about the 7lb rise in the weights.

"We'll run him again before the end of the season, maybe try to find a race in France, then aim him at the big six-furlong handicaps next year."

Rebel Assault showed plenty of grit to cause a 25-1 upset in the coral.co.uk Rockingham Stakes.

Mark Johnston's juvenile was always prominent under Franny Norton and did particularly well to fend off It Dont Come Easy by a length and a quarter.

Staxton finished third, with even-money favourite Shabaaby rather one-paced in fourth.

Deirdre Johnston, wife of the winning trainer, said: "She lost her race at the start in France last time so we thought it was worth having another go here for the black type.

"We've thought a lot of her all season. She's as tough as old boots."

Saturday's action concluded the 2017 season at York Racecourse – a summer that has seen 350,000 racegoers witness 122 races over 18 fabulous days of racing action.

More thoroughbreds than ever (a total of 1,468) competed for a record of more than £7.7m prize money, delivering an impressive average field size of 12 which looks set to retain its position as the largest in British racing.

The opening day of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival saw the first ever million pound race on the Knavesmire, the Group 1 Juddmonte International, which currently holds the position as Britain’s highest rated race.

Royal Patron of York, HRH The Duke of York, was able to present the trophy to the winning connections of Ulysses as trainer Sir Michel Stoute and jockey, Jim Crowley, delivered another big prize for the Niarchos family.

The balance of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival saw an outstanding four days of racing action, with Enable – the highest rated horse in Europe this season – taking the Darley Yorkshire Oaks as part of her five Group One victories in a row.

Arguably the most dramatic finish of the season unfolded in the Coolmore Nunthorpe as Lady Aurelia, trained in the USA by Wesley Ward, was pipped in a photo-finish by Marsha, resulting in jubilant scenes from her Elite Racing Club owners and despondency for the vanquished Frankie Dettori.

Indeed, a remarkable six of the top ten rated horses that have raced in Europe this season, Enable, Ulysses, Battaash, Churchill, Barney Roy and Lady Aurelia have all graced the Knavesmire.

The fiercely contested Charles Clinkard Top Trainer at York Trophy was won for the first time by William Haggas. Skipton-born, though Newmarket based, Haggas had led the way for the majority of the season and posted an impressive 13 winners; surviving a late season surge by Malton’s Tim Easterby, that got the Great Habton yard to within three of the eventual champion.

A new name also appears on the Living North Champion Jockey Trophy, as locally based Danny Tudhope posted six winners and ten second places to land his first title, shading a clutch of top riders that included Jim Crowley, James Doyle and David Allan.