Our correspondent returns to York on Thursday to set the scene for the second day of the Ebor Festival, where a mix of Group, Handicap and Listed races will be on offer. The focus will be on the marquee Group One Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks (3.35) that pits the freshly crowned King George winner Kalpada against the Oaks hopeful Minnie Hauk. Kalpada, who dazzled in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes last month, looks set to make the Yorkshire Oaks a showcase of her class. In her previous outing at Ascot, the French‑bred mare trained by Andrew Balding was simply outclassed by Aidan O'Brien’s multiple Oaks champion, who was left a staggering eighteen lengths behind.
That defeat marked the second consecutive lackluster effort for Minnie Hauk, and it is hard to imagine her rediscovering the form that would allow her to close the widening gap between her and the top‑flight filly. When the two meet, Kalpada will have the advantage of gender, as she will be racing against her own sex, and her turn of foot appears irresistible even if the forecast calls for rain. The odds‑on favourite status should be reflected in the betting market, but the race could still produce a surprise if the softer ground hampers her high‑speed style.
On the other side of the card, I am keeping an eye on David Menuisier’s Inis Mor, who has shown steady improvement by placing in both the French and Irish Oaks. Though she will face a tougher field at York, jockey Oisin Murphy has a proven record of extracting the best performance from her, and a well‑timed run could see her finish strongly.
The Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.50) also promises intrigue. Irish‑trained Juddmonte filly Livenka appears ready to stamp her authority on the race. She earned her spot in the lineup by winning a valuable sales contest at Naas by almost four lengths, suggesting she is primed to step up into Pattern company.
Livenka draws a high post but is not far off from the probable favourite Libertango, the Albany Stakes winner who narrowly missed extending her unbeaten record when she was beaten in the Group Two Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket. While Libertango remains the benchmark, Livenka’s upward trajectory makes her a serious threat. George Boughey’s Moonrise is another contender worth noting. After a second‑place finish in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot and a win in the Princess Margaret Stakes, Moonrise has been largely overlooked by the ante‑post market, yet her form suggests she could be a factor in the Lowther.
Turning to the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (4.10), husband‑and‑wife team Tom Marquand and trainer William Haggas can expect a solid run from Rhapsody. The filly carries a Group placing and a course win to her credit, making her a credible threat in this Listed event.
However, I anticipate that Ralph Beckett’s A La Prochaine will exploit the drop‑in class and challenge for the win. A La Prochaine, though lightly raced, performed admirably in the Cheshire Oaks earlier this season and then stepped up to finish fourth in the Epsom Oaks. After a spell, she returns sounding fresher and more sound than the likely favourite Morrophore, whose best performances have come on all‑weather surfaces.
Morrophore also faces an eight‑month layoff, which could hinder her competitiveness. It is unusual to see a Group One winner contest a sales race, yet Sun Goddess’s participation in the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs (2.25) at York highlights the depth of talent emanating from Ballydoyle.
Aidan O’Brien’s Phoenix Stakes victor is expected to be a short‑priced favourite, especially if her Albany‑winning stablemate Libertango also captures the Lowther. Nevertheless, large sales fields are notoriously unpredictable, and there is value in Clive Cox’s unbeaten Satellite Of Love. Carrying over a stone more than Sun Goddess, she draws a low post and possesses a progressive running style that could see her finish strongly.
I also have my eye on Archie Watson’s filly Vollering, who already boasts black‑type success in France and brings a wealth of experience to the York meeting. Her proven ability at a higher level makes her a contender worth monitoring.
Bullet Point, who returned to form in this month’s Shergar Cup, is poised to improve further in the Sir Kevin Sinfield 7‑In‑7 Grand Finale Handicap (3.00) at York. Last year’s winner benefited from the introduction of cheekpieces at Ascot, a piece of equipment that transformed his performance, and could repeat that success if the headgear proves effective again. Ralph Beckett’s ante‑post favourite Centigrade appears a short‑priced option for a horse stepping up from an all‑weather novice, but I would also like to see Jack Channon’s Mezcala contest the race’s final stages. The Buckingham Palace Stakes winner has been unlucky with draws in the past, but a favorable stall 17 could see him thrive at York.
Overall, the second day of the Ebor Festival offers a blend of established Group talent and emerging prospects. Hollie Doyle’s insights, shared in a recent interview with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, underscore the excitement surrounding these contests. Whether it is Kalpada’s dominance in the Yorkshire Oaks, the rising fortunes of Inis Mor, or the surprise potential of sales‑race runners like Sun Goddess and Satellite Of Love, Thursday’s program promises plenty of drama for punters and racing enthusiasts alike.