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 display. The highlight will be the Group One Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks (3.35), where the dazzling King George victor Kalpada, fresh from her triumph last month, is expected to outshine the Oaks hopeful Minnie Hauk.
Kalpada's recent performance left little doubt about her superiority; at Ascot she brushed aside Andrew Balding's filly, a multiple Oaks winner trained by Aidan O'Brien, finishing a disappointing 18 lengths behind the winner. This marks the second consecutive lackluster run for Minnie Hauk, and it is hard to imagine her recapturing her peak form quickly enough to close the widening gap.
When the two mares meet, Kalpada appears unstoppable, rain or shine. Among the longer odds, David Menuisier’s Inis Mor is worth watching. She has already shown promise by placing in both the French and Irish Oaks, and with jockey Oisin Murphy aboard, she could continue her upward trajectory despite the step up in class.
In the Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.50) at York, Juddmonte’s Irish‑trained filly Livenka looks poised to stamp her authority. Ger Lyons’ daughter of Bated Breath earned her spot in this field by winning a valuable sales race at Naas by nearly four lengths, signalling she is ready for Pattern company.
Although drawn on the outside, she sits close to the probable favorite Libertango, the Albany victor who narrowly missed extending her unbeaten record in the Group Two Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket. George Boughey’s filly also sets a high benchmark, but Livenka’s recent improvement makes her a contender that cannot be ignored. Another major player is Andrew Balding’s Moonrise, who finished second in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot before taking the Princess Margaret and has been largely overlooked by the ante‑post market. My husband Tom Marquand and his trainer William Haggas can anticipate a strong showing from Rhapsody in the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (4.10) at York, though she will have to contend with a specific rival.
Rhapsody brings a solid Group placing and a course win to this Listed event, yet I expect Ralph Backett’s A La Prochaine to capitalize on the drop in class. A La Prochaine, still lightly raced, performed admirably in the Cheshire Oaks earlier this season and later placed fourth in the Epsom Oaks. After a spell, she returns sounding fresher and more sound than the likely favorite Morrophore, whose best performances have come on all‑weather surfaces and who must also overcome an eight‑month layoff. It is unusual to see a Group One winner entered in a sales race, but the presence of Sun Goddess in the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs (2.25) at York underscores the depth of talent at Ballydoyle.
Aidan O'Brien’s Phoenix Stakes winner, if she runs, will likely be an even shorter priced favorite, especially if her Albany counterpart Libertango triumphs in the Lowther. Big‑field sales races always hold surprises, and Clive Cox’s unbeaten Satellite Of Love offers value. She carries over a stone more than Sun Goddess, enjoys a favorable low draw, and possesses a progressive running style. Her performance at Newbury in a novice event impressed me, and I am also keeping an eye on Archie Watson’s seasoned filly Vollering, who has already secured valuable black‑type in France and now brings considerable experience to the York program.
Bullet Point, who returned to form in this month’s Shergar Cup, could improve further in the Sir Kevin Sinfield 7‑In‑7 Grand Finale Handicap (3.00) at York. Last year’s winner benefitted from the introduction of cheekpieces at Ascot, and if that equipment proves effective again, Tom Marquand may have another winning chance.
Ralph Beckett’s ante‑post favorite 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 finish. The Buckingham Palace victor has been unlucky with draws, starting from stall 17, but a good draw at York could give him the luck he needs to finish strongly. Overall, the day promises a blend of established stars and emerging talent, with the Yorkshire Oaks serving as the marquee showdown between Kalpada and Minnie Hauk. Hollie Doyle’s insights, shared with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, add an extra layer of expert perspective to the excitement building around the festival’s second day.