York hoping to discover a ‘world-beater’ in delayed Dante and Musidora races

He was speaking after being taken aback by the quality of entries for the 10-furlong Dante Stakes, and also Musidora Stakes, as York stages its first meeting under lockdown conditions.

And these abnormal times are further reflected by the fact that the Dante and Musidora races, normally held in mid-May and long-established trials for the Derby and Oaks, are being held five days after the two Classics were staged at Epsom.

That said, the unbeaten Highest Ground, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, has a lofty reputation as champion jockey Oisin Murphy bids to win a third-successive Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante following the wins of Roaring Lion and Telecaster.

Meanwhile, Frankie Dettori’s mount Ricetta, trained by John Gosden, and Pocket Square for trainer Roger Charlton and rising star Jason Watson, are both fillies of immense promise lining up in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.

Though the Knavesmire will remain open to ‘neighbours’ of the racecourse, three miles of temporary fencing have been put up to deter spectators congregating on the inside of the track where no facilities for the public will be open.

“We are really excited about racehorses returning to the Knavesmire,” Derby told The Yorkshire Post.

“When the British Horseracing Authority first came to us and said that they wanted to run these two prestigious races in July, and after the Classics, it took a bit of time to get our heads around the idea.

“They have been proved right because the Dante and Musidora have both attracted some really nice horses, with wonderful reputations, who haven’t gone to Epsom. It would be nice to think they include an unexposed type who becomes a world-beater.”

This is certainly the hope for Dante favourite Highest Ground who looked every inch a potential star in the making when making a successful debut at Leicester last September. However the son of Frankel did not appear until 10 days before Epsom – putting the highly-rated Waldkonig in his place at Haydock.

Alan Cooper, racing manager for the Niarchos Family who own the colt, said: “It was a good performance at Haydock, and afterwards the Dante looked the logical next step. It’s obviously unusual to be running races like the Dante and the Musidora at this time of year – the fact these races are clashing with the first day of the July meeting at Newmarket just underlines what a strange year it is.”

Aidan O’Brien, fresh from completing the Derby-Oaks double with Serpentine and Love respectively, sends his Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial victor Cormorant from Ireland.

Meanwhile, Middleham trainer Mark Johnston’s Thundering turns out 12 days after running second at Newmarket while Juan Elcano was last seen finishing fourth at Royal Ascot for Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan.

In the Musidora, Ricetta and Pocket Square provide leading owner Prince Khalid Abdullah with a strong hand despite his well-regarded Franconia being taken out yesterday.

Adullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe, who also chairs York’s race committee, said: “Ricetta has won twice at Newmarket, stepping up in trip. She deserves to take her chance. Pocket Square had a tooth removed in the spring, which is why she’s slower to come out.”

Grimthorpe, who hails from Westow, added: “I’m looking forward to going back to York, but I’ll be glad when a lot more people are allowed to come to York – it’s going to be strange. We live in hope they might be there in August.”

This was confirmed by Derby who says York is in regular contact with the BHA and Racecourse Association (RCA) over the possibility of some paying spectators attending next month’s Ebor festival.

The Yorkshire Post understands that the Government is waiting for the current Premier League football season to conclude before deciding whether some fans can attend sporting events.

“We are hopeful that will come in time for the Ebor, but we can’t be confident of that,” said Derby before explaining how York had pumped £1.4m of its own money into prize money to support the quality of its fixture list.

Even though next month’s Juddmonte International, normally worth £1m, will only have a prize fund of £250,000, he is proud of the £3m fixture programme put together by York and says it compares more than favourably with other flagship courses.

“When we get crowds back, we will be able to do more,” he added.

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