King George heroine Kalpana will line up in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday. The three-time top level scorer will face eight rivals, including last year’s winner Minnie Hauk. Meanwhile Sun Goddess was a surprise declaration for the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs just 11 days on from her Phoenix Stakes success.
Here is today’s racing news round-up as York’s Ebor meeting gets underway.
Kalpana headlines Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday
Star Juddmonte mare Kalpana heads nine declarations for the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks. The top level prize is the feature on Thursday on the Knavesmire. She will seek a ninth career victory among a strong field of fillies and mares. Last year’s winner and Arc runner-up Minnie Hauk is also in line to run. Similarly, the three-year-olds stepping up to face their talented elders could have a say, with Johanna Walsh and Earth Shot among the notables. (Racing Post)
Sun Goddess a surprise name in Goffs Half Million
Group 1 Phoenix Stakes heroine Sun Goddess was a surprise name to feature in the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs on Thursday. The contest is exclusive to those who appeared in the Goffs sales in August 2025. Sun Goddess won the Phoenix Stakes in imperious fashion last week and drops in class under a penalty. She faces 21 rivals in the contest. Meanwhile, other high class juveniles in Libertango and Star Of State will run in the Group 2 Lowther Stakes. (Thoroughbred Daily News)
One of Sun Goddess’ rivals is already a much vaunted two-year-old in France. Tokaido, trained by Amy Murphy, is on a run of four straight victories. He has claimed Group 3 and Group 2 wins the last twice, ensuring he will concede weight all-round. Murphy is more famous on these shores for training Kalashnikov over jumps. However, she has since set up a successful operation on the continent. (Racing TV)
22 charities named for Ebor Sweepstake
York racecourse and Sky Bet have teamed up to give away £20,000 to charity after the Ebor on Saturday. The initiative sees 22 charities matched to a horse in the big handicap. Whichever horse wins, the charity attached to them will receive the significant donation. All 22 will receive a £1,000 offering after the race though with the local community prioritised. (Sporting Life)
Four-time Matheson Hurdle winner Sharjah dies
Sharjah, one of the leading lights in the two-mile hurdle scene earlier this decade, has passed away aged 13. The four-time Matheson Hurdle winner dies due to a bout of colic. Sharjah was a feature in top two-mile races, notably finishing second to Epatante in the 2020 Champion Hurdle. However, it was his Christmas exploits for what he was bet known. He won Leopardstown’s feature two-mile hurdle contest, the Matheson Hurdle, for four straight seasons between 2018-2021. Regular rider Patrick Mullins paid tribute, saying Sharjah “was a very, very kind horse.” (Racing Post)