Our resident racing ambassador is back for a preview of the second day of the Ebor Festival at York, set to unfold on Thursday. The card offers a rich mix of Group, Handicap and Listed contests, providing plenty of intrigue for punters and enthusiasts alike. The standout on the program is undoubtedly Kalpana, the dazzling filly who captured the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes last month.
She heads to York as the overwhelming favourite in the Group One Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks (3.35). In the eyes of many observers, Kalpada will be too hot for the Oaks‑winner Minnie Hauk to handle in what promises to be a thrilling showdown. Kalpana’s dominance was on full display at Ascot when she faced the French‑trained Calandagan, a multiple Group performer.
Andrew Balding’s mare simply outclassed the French runner, leaving Calandagan with no answer as Kalpana surged ahead, finishing a staggering eighteen lengths clear of the field. That performance underscored her superiority and set the tone for what many expect to be another masterclass at York. Minnie Hauk, by contrast, has struggled to recapture her best form in recent outings. This marks the second consecutive lacklustre effort for the filly, and her connections appear uncertain about her ability to close the yawning gap to Kalpana.
When the two face off, Kalpana will be racing against her own sex, a scenario that typically brings out the best in a top‑class filly. Even a potential rain shower in the forecast is unlikely to diminish her fire‑breathing reputation. At longer odds, attention turns to David Menuisier’s Inis Mor, a filly who has shown steady improvement in both the French and Irish Oaks.
Though she will be a tougher proposition for the field, Oisin Murphy has demonstrated a knack for extracting the maximum performance from his mounts, and he could well guide Inis Mor to an upset. Another intriguing contender is the Juddmonte‑owned Irish filly Livenka, who looks primed to stamp her class on the Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (1.50). Livenka, a daughter of Bated Breath trained by Ger Lyons, earned a valuable sales victory at Naas by nearly four lengths, signalling her readiness to step up into Pattern company.
She draws a high post but sits close to the probable favourite Libertango, the Albany‑trained winner who was narrowly denied an unbeaten record in the Group Two Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket. Libertango’s credentials are solid, yet Livenka’s upward trajectory and intelligent racing style make her a serious threat. Adding further depth to the field is Andrew Balding’s Moonrise, a filly who finished second in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot before securing a win in the Princess Margaret Stakes. Despite being overlooked by many ante‑post markets, Moonrise’s recent form suggests she could be a dark horse in the Lowther.
On the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (4.10) at York, my husband Tom (Marquand) and his trainer William Haggas will be watching Rhapsody closely. The mare boasts a Group placing and a course win, making her a strong contender in this Listed event.
However, a particular rival demands attention: Ralph Backett’s A La Prochaine, a lightly raced filly who performed admirably in the Cheshire Oaks and later finished fourth in the Epsom Oaks. After a spell, A La Prochaine appears sounder and more mature, potentially giving her an edge over the likely favourite Morrophore, whose best performances have come on all‑weather surfaces and who must also overcome an eight‑month layoff. The Harry’s Half Million By Goffs (2.25) at York presents a fascinating clash of sales‑type talent, highlighted by the presence of Sun Goddess, a Group One winner from Ballydoyle. It is unusual to see a top‑class Group One performer contest a sales race, yet Sun Goddess’s participation underscores the depth of quality within Aidan O'Brien’s stable.
If her Albany‑victor Libertango succeeds in the Lowther, Sun Goddess could become an even shorter‑priced favourite in this race. Nevertheless, large sales fields are notoriously unpredictable, and there is value in considering Clive Cox’s unbeaten Satellite Of Love. Though she carries over a stone more than Sun Goddess, she enjoys a low draw and a progressive racing profile that could see her finish strongly. Satellite Of Love impressed me during her novice win at Newbury, and I am also keeping an eye on Archie Watson’s filly Vollering.
Vollering has already secured valuable black‑type success in France and brings a wealth of experience to the York meeting. Bullet Point, who returned to form in the recent Shergar Cup, could improve further in the Sir Kevin Sinfield 7‑In‑7 Grand Finale Handicap (3.00). Last year’s winner benefitted from cheekpieces at Ascot, a piece of headgear that transformed his performance.
If the equipment proves equally effective this time, Bullet Point offers another promising option for Tom (Marquand). Ralph Beckett’s ante‑post favourite Centigrade appears well‑priced for a horse stepping up from an all‑weather novice.
Yet I would also like to see Jack Channon’s Mezcala contest the race’s final stages. The Buckingham Palace Stakes winner has suffered from unfavorable stalls, often drawing stall 17, but a lucky draw at York could see him capitalize on his proven ability. Overall, Thursday’s card at York promises a blend of established Group talent, rising prospects, and intriguing sales‑race contenders.
Hollie Doyle, speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, highlighted the excitement surrounding Kalpana’s potential dominance and the depth of the field across the various contests. With rain in the forecast, the going may soften, but the quality of the horses on display suggests that the Yorkshire meeting will deliver memorable performances and possibly a few surprise outcomes.