Kalpana heads Yorkshire Oaks field as Ebor Festival contenders take shape

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Kalpana could face up to 14 rivals when she bids for another Group One success in next week’s Yorkshire Oaks at York.

The Juddmonte-owned five-year-old was among 15 horses left in contention following Friday’s confirmation stage for the Legends Global Yorkshire Oaks, which takes place at 3.35pm on Thursday, August 20.

Kalpana arrives at the Knavesmire in outstanding form after adding the King George to an impressive sequence at Ascot. Her latest victory under Colin Keane extended her course-and-distance form figures at the track to 312121, with the Andrew Balding-trained mare finishing a length and a half ahead of French challenger Calandagan.

She could renew rivalry with Aidan O’Brien’s Minnie Hauk, who was well beaten in eighth behind Kalpana in the King George.

Minnie Hauk has plenty of York form to her name, having landed the Yorkshire Oaks at odds-on last season, but the Frankel filly has struggled to reproduce that level this term and has failed to win in four starts.

She is one of seven O’Brien-trained horses still entered, although stablemate Diamond Necklace appears less likely to take her chance.

Earth Shot and Johanna Walsh set for another meeting

The Yorkshire Oaks could also see another chapter in the rivalry between Earth Shot and Johanna Walsh.

The pair met at Royal Ascot in the Ribblesdale Stakes, when Earth Shot prevailed by a head, but Johanna Walsh turned the tables in emphatic fashion in the Irish Oaks.

Joseph O’Brien’s filly ran out a four-length winner at the Curragh, with Earth Shot finishing sixth after being sent off the 9-4 favourite.

They currently look among the leading three-year-old contenders for the Yorkshire Oaks, an age group which has produced eight of the last 10 winners of the race.

Legacy Link is another major name among the confirmations after making a big impression when winning the Musidora Stakes over the Yorkshire Oaks distance at York in May.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly subsequently finished second in the Oaks at Epsom before disappointing when seventh as the 13-8 favourite for the Ribblesdale Stakes.

Yorkshire Oaks confirmations

• Kalpana – Andrew Balding
• Minnie Hauk – Aidan O’Brien
• Moody – Paddy Twomey
• Tattycoram – Ralph Beckett
• Amelia Earhart – Aidan O’Brien
• Beautify – Aidan O’Brien
• Composing – Aidan O’Brien
• Diamond Necklace – Aidan O’Brien
• Earth Shot – William Haggas
• Inis Mor – David Menuisier
• Johanna Walsh – Joseph O’Brien
• Legacy Link – John and Thady Gosden
• Moments Of Joy – Aidan O’Brien
• Sparan Nua – Jim Bolger
• Sugar Island – Aidan O’Brien

Kalpana is the clear favourite in the ante-post market at 5-4, with Minnie Hauk next at 11-4 and Johanna Walsh priced at 4-1.

Tattycoram is 8-1, while Diamond Necklace is 10-1 ahead of Inis Mor at 12-1. Moody and Sparan Nua are both 16-1, with Earth Shot and Legacy Link available at 20-1.

Libertango heads Lowther Stakes contenders

The Sky Bet Lowther Stakes is also beginning to take shape, with 22 fillies remaining in contention for the Group Two contest at 1.50pm on Thursday.

Libertango heads the field after producing an impressive performance to win the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The George Boughey-trained daughter of No Nay Never had Sunday’s Phoenix Stakes winner Sun Goddess behind her at Ascot and remains one of the leading two-year-old fillies heading into the second day of the Ebor Festival.

Libertango was unable to follow up at Newmarket last time out, however, finishing three-quarters of a length behind Senorita Bonita when second in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes.

Alwaysanangel, who finished third on that occasion for Joseph O’Brien, does not feature among the 22 confirmations despite being available at no bigger than 11-2 for the Newmarket contest.

Juddmonte could also be represented by Livenka, who arrives at York chasing a hat-trick.

The Ger Lyons-trained filly followed up a maiden success at Fairyhouse with an impressive three-and-a-half-length victory at Naas earlier this month.

Wild Blossom is another interesting contender after winning the Alice Keppel Fillies’ Conditions Stakes at Goodwood. The Wathnan Racing-owned filly could now step up in both grade and distance.

Aidan O’Brien has one remaining contender in Film Set, who was well held in fifth behind Livenka on her debut at Fairyhouse.

Lowther Stakes confirmations

• Alta Regina – Hamad Al Jehani
• Angels Passing – Kevin Ryan
• Beibhinn – Joseph O’Brien
• Big Negotiator – Paddy Twomey
• Bint Archange – Richard Hughes
• Crownbreaker – Kevin Philippart de Foy
• Crystal Queen – Richard and Peter Fahey
• Desert Sands – Ismail Mohammed and Jose Santos
• Film Set – Aidan O’Brien
• Havana Sprite – James Tate
• In The Back – Geoff Oldroyd
• Jolivette – Andrew Balding
• Libertango – George Boughey
• Livenka – Ger Lyons
• Love A Giggle – Karl Burke
• Miss Kodi – Clive Cox
• Moonrise – Andrew Balding
• Ruby Moon – Richard and Peter Fahey
• Sexy Chick – Richard Spencer
• Shimmering Sun – Harry Eustace
• Velozee – Paddy Twomey
• Wild Blossom – Karl Burke

With both the Yorkshire Oaks and Lowther Stakes fields beginning to take shape, Thursday’s card is set for a pair of fascinating Group contests as the 2026 Ebor Festival gets underway.

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Whether you’re heading to York for the Yorkshire Oaks, Lowther Stakes or one of the other major races across the meeting, Eventmasters hospitality can add an extra level of comfort to your Ebor Festival experience.

Ebor Festival FAQs

When is the Yorkshire Oaks?

The Yorkshire Oaks will be run at 3.35pm on Thursday, August 20, 2026, on day two of the Ebor Festival at York.

Who is favourite for the Yorkshire Oaks?

Kalpana is the 5-4 favourite following the latest confirmations, ahead of defending champion Minnie Hauk at 11-4 and Johanna Walsh at 4-1.

How many horses remain in the Yorkshire Oaks?

There are 15 horses remaining in contention following the confirmation stage, meaning Kalpana could face up to 14 rivals if all the remaining contenders line up.

When is the Lowther Stakes?

The Sky Bet Lowther Stakes is scheduled for 1.50pm on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at York.

Who is favourite for the Lowther Stakes?

Libertango heads the 22 remaining Lowther Stakes contenders after winning the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Can I book Ebor Festival hospitality with Eventmasters?

Yes. Eventmasters offers hospitality packages for the Ebor Festival, allowing guests to enjoy the meeting with premium seating, hospitality facilities and a more comfortable race-day experience.