Tattersalls Musidora Stakes: quality field of six declared

A quality field of six runners have been declared for Wednesday’s Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York, live on Racing TV, with Classic aspirations firmly on the line.

Declarations for the 41st edition of the Tattersalls-sponsored Group 3 is the exciting Juddmonte-owned and bred filly LEGACY LINK. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the daughter of Dubawi created a strong impression when winning on her second career start before rounding off her juvenile campaign with a creditable fourth in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. 

The form of that contest has worked out particularly well, with both the second and third home going on to finish placed in the 1,000 Guineas earlier this month, enhancing Legacy Link’s credentials ahead of her return on the Knavesmire.

Juddmonte’s Racing Manager, Barry Mahon, told Tattersalls: “She’s a beautiful filly who showed a good level of form as a two-year-old. I thought she ran a great race in the Fillies’ Mile, indicating she wanted a step up in trip. The form of that race looks solid, with Karl Burke’s filly [Evolutionist], running a great race in the 1,000 Guineas.

“She’s in good form, John and Thady are happy, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing her on track. This filly was always going to be about 10 furlongs, possibly even 12 furlongs - let’s hope the step up in trip can bring out even more improvement.”

FELICITAS, trained by Ed Walker, was an eye-catching winner at Sandown last month when landing a hot novice contest by three lengths, maintaining her unbeaten record in two starts. The daughter of Teofilo was purchased from Barton Stud at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for 150,000 guineas by Kirtlington Park Stud’s Charlie Budgett on behalf of Simon Sadler’s TBT Racing.

Kieran Shoemark, who has partnered Felicitas in both of her victories, said: “I couldn’t have been more impressed with Felicitas at Sandown. For a filly that had only won a maiden on the all-weather, she adapted to both the turf and the demands of Sandown extremely well.

“I’m looking forward to riding her on a more conventional track like York in the Musidora.”

Ballydoyle landed last year’s renewal with the talented Group 1-winning filly Whirl, with Aidan O’Brien represented this time by MOMENTS OF JOY.

The daughter of Justify made a winning debut before proving herself at Stakes level with a series of high-class efforts as a two-year-old, notably when placed in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Group 3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes. She returned to action on testing ground last month and is entitled to improve considerably for that seasonal reappearance under more favourable conditions at York.

SEA THE STORM, now trained by William Haggas, also brings strong credentials into the contest. Successful on debut as a juvenile, she went on to finish runner-up in the Group 3 Preis der Winterkönigin at Baden-Baden before returning to winning ways on her first start for her new stable in a novice contest at Wetherby last month.

The Ralph Beckett trained K SARRA was a winner on debut at the end of her juvenile campaign. The daughter of New Bay returned in last month’s Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket and is expected to be better suited by Wednesday’s step up in trip.

DELLA PACE, from the in-form stable of George Boughey, completes the select field of six runners. Purchased by owner Stephen Hillen for 50,000 guineas at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the daughter of Camelot was successful on her third start as a juvenile before returning to action last month with a strong-finishing runner-up effort in handicap company. Wednesday’s Musidora will represent her first appearance at Group level, with connections hoping to secure valuable black type.