Tattersalls Musidora Stakes |
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| Group 3, York 15:45 £130,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 2f 56y, Class 1  |
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1 Whirl 7/2
2
Serenity Prayer 100/30
3
Go Go Boots 9/1
6 ran Distances: 5½l, nk, 5½l
Time: 2m 9.61s (slow by 1.31s)
The perfect ride from Ryan Moore 👏
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 14, 2025
Whirl with a convincing win in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes 🏆#ITVRacing | #DanteFestival | @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/H5B7C5aP63
It was another Classic trial, another Aidan O’Brien filly, and another performance that turned heads—Whirl breezing to an emphatic victory, leaving her rivals toiling in her wake and the bookmakers scrambling to slash her Oaks odds.
A notable drifter in the market beforehand—out to 7-2 by the off—the daughter of Wootton Bassett made light of that trend under a typically measured Ryan Moore. Positive from the outset, Moore never allowed her to get too far from the action. Up ahead, it was Tattycoram, Ralph Beckett’s Sandown scorer, who set the early fractions and led them into the straight. But it was short-lived.
As they hit the Knavesmire's expansive run-in, Moore simply nudged Whirl forward and she responded with the sort of ease that doesn’t require a replay to appreciate. By the line, it was five and a half lengths back to Serenity Prayer—a strong-finishing second for the Balding yard—while Go Go Boots, on her turf debut, kept on for third.
Post-race, the market reacted swiftly—Paddy Power slicing her Betfred Oaks price from 33s to 10s—but don’t expect Epsom plans to be rubber-stamped just yet. Part-owner Michael Tabor offered a typically candid take:
“Ryan’s plan was simple—go forward and let her enjoy herself. If they caught her, fair enough. But that? I’m not sure anyone saw that coming. She’s probably not an Oaks filly in my mind—more Prix de Diane, perhaps—but that’s just my opinion for now.”
Ryan Moore, meanwhile, was quietly impressed but pragmatic:
“She’s very straightforward. Took the step up in trip well, travelled strongly. Didn't do a lot in front, but kept responding. A nice, uncomplicated performance. Being by Wootton Bassett, there’s a bit of versatility there too.”
Back in second, Serenity Prayer lost little in defeat. Assistant trainer Anna-Lisa Balding was full of praise:
“She’s a star. It was only her second run and they went a real clip early. To come through like that and beat some of those behind—there’s a lot to be positive about. Ribblesdale might be next, but I’ll let others do the deciding!”
As for Go Go Boots, John Gosden was philosophical, if not quietly encouraged:
“Very pleased. She found herself in a bit of a pocket, but ran well. First time on turf, so she’ll have learned a lot. She’s probably still wondering what that green stuff was beneath her feet!”
In a season already brimming with Ballydoyle headlines, Whirl’s Musidora romp was another one to file under: ominous.
Tattersalls Musidora Stakes
£130,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 2f 56y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (5) Whirl 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 7/2
2 (4) 5½ Serenity Prayer 3 9-2 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 100/30
3 (1) nk Go Go Boots 3 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Kieran Shoemark 9/1
4 (6) 5½ Tattycoram 3 9-2 Ralph Beckett Hector Crouch 18/1
5 (3) 2¾ Miss Tonnerre 3 9-2 Ed Walker Tom Marquand 7/2
6 (2) 18 Smoken 3 9-2 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan 5/2F
