The Middleton Stakes at York given Group Two status

This year's Middleton Stakes will be run at York on Thursday, 13 May

The Middleton Stakes, run during the Dante Festival at York Racecourse, has been increased in status to Group Two.

The upgrade has been awarded to only two races in Britain this year and it will attract six-figure prize money.

Course marketing manager James Brennan told BBC Radio York: "It's a reflection of the quality of the racehorses that have run in this race in the past.

"Every year you get a chance to nominate a race and I'm delighted we've had the nod."

Brennan added: "It becomes the fourth Group Two contest at the Dante Festival so it's fantastic news and a fitting tribute to the quality of horses that have run it in the past and hopefully it'll attract in the future."

The race attracts the best of the older fillies that often go on to success in Group One races.

Brennan continued: "It's to do with the quality of the horses you get. That's what's been recognised.

"You add together the handicap marks of the horses that win and come up with an average and come up with that over a number of years.

"And if it's good enough you get a chance to upgrade it. That means we put in yet more prize money and hopefully it's an upward spiral of success for the contest and the race as a whole."

This year's Dante meeting begins on Wednesday, 12 May, with the Middleton Stakes being run the following day.