John & Thady Gosden notched up Clarehaven’s ninth Musidora on Wednesday as Legacy Link landed the fillies’ Group 3 contest. They matched Sir Henry Cecil’s record in the process, thus it’s only appropriate they did so with Legacy Link, whose dam is a full sister to Frankel.
The Dubawi filly was strong in the market throughout the day, and duly obliged under Colin Keane. She travelled effortlessly well, cruising to the two pole on the bridle. She initially kicked clear, but Felicitas was able to challenge her up the run in, briefly poking her nose in front.
Legacy Link was impressive in holding off the challenge, and the step up to the Oaks trip looks to suit. Speaking to the Press Association after the race, via the Racing Post, John Gosden said: “She did well. She was a little green early on, fresh first time out and broke away from the others on the outside. She got herself organised, then she got on the wrong lead around the bend. Leading on the off-fore instead of the near-fore. She’s just learning.
“What I liked was that she came through the race and then it looked like she felt she’d done enough. Then the other filly came to her – and that’s a very nice filly. I thought she was superb when she won at Sandown.
“I think it was a very good trial, and I liked the way she fought her way back and galloped out strongly.”
‘All being well, she’ll go to Epsom’ – John Gosden
John Gosden and Juddmonte won the Oaks with the tenacious Enable in 2017, but Legacy Link wasn’t the filly initially comparable with the great mare. Her stablemate, I’m The One, was on track for the Oaks but Gosden ruled her out yesterday. On the other filly, Gosden said: “They never work together but, to me, she’s an exceptionally talented filly as well. We’ll just get I’m The One right. I spoke to the owner this morning. I’ve been a little concerned about her since the race at Chester; she just hasn’t come right. She’ll be back later in the season but she won’t be going to Epsom. It’s profoundly frustrating, but that’s the nature of the game.”
“It’s not quite the same. You want to be like Aidan O’Brien and go with about four!” Remarked Gosden. The yard certainly has an able deputy in Legacy Link, who will improve for her Musidora success according to Gosden.
“She’s got a great mind but she was short of match practice. I’d like to have got a run into her earlier, but there was nowhere to go. It’s been a funny year, standing here with a Mac in May. It’s not ideal weather for fillies. I think she can do nothing but improve for a race.”