Musidora Stakes 2026 Preview
The Musidora Stakes is traditionally one of the key Oaks trial races of the season and often throws up fillies with both class and stamina potential.
This year’s renewal looks a fascinating clash between established juvenile form and progressive three-year-olds stepping into Pattern company. At Turf Talk, every runner has been assessed using our combined trends and ratings model, incorporating historical race trends, trainer form, jockey bookings, speed figures, ratings, progression profiles and likely suitability for York.
The going is currently expected to be good, which should favour fillies with tactical speed as well as the ability to see out the extended ten furlongs strongly.
Key Musidora Stakes Trends
• 20/20 winners were not returning from HY/FM/STD/FS ground last time out
• 20/20 winners did not run in Listed or Class 6 company on their previous start
• 20/20 winners achieved a TS of 54+ within their last 3 runs
• 20/20 winners debuted in fields of 8-23 runners
• 20/20 winners debuted over 5½f to 1m1½f
• 19/20 winners had not previously won a Group 2 or Listed race
• 19/20 winners had won over 7f to 1m2f previously
• 19/20 winners won their previous race by at least a head
• 19/20 winners carried between 120-133lbs on their last winning run
The final Turf Talk ratings also factor in trainer and jockey form, progression potential, York suitability and likely tactical setup.
Turf Talk Ratings
| Horse | Rating | Trainer | Jockey | Trends | Key Positives | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy Link | 236 | Gosden | Colin Keane | 14/14 | Outstanding juvenile figures, strongest RPR in field, excellent trends fit, top stable form | TOP RATED |
| Felicitas | 232 | Ed Walker | Kieran Shoemark | 13/14 | Unbeaten profile, progressive TS figures, already proven over trip | MAIN DANGER |
| Sea The Storm | 229 | William Haggas | Tom Marquand | 13/14 | Rapid improver, excellent trainer form, proven at distance, strong tactical profile | SHORTLIST |
| Moments Of Joy | 225 | Aidan O’Brien | Ryan Moore | 12/14 | Top-class connections, strong juvenile form, Ryan Moore booking a major positive | CONTENDER |
| Della Pace | 220 | George Boughey | Jamie Spencer | 11/14 | Interesting improver with solid recent effort, but overall figures slightly below principals | PLACE CHANCE |
| K Sarra | 216 | Ralph Beckett | Rossa Ryan | 11/14 | Respected stable and rider combination, but lacks the proven ratings of the market leaders | NEEDS MORE |
The ratings combine trends, speed figures, ratings, trainer form, jockey form and projected progression.
Final Verdict
Legacy Link narrowly comes out on top in the Turf Talk ratings thanks to her elite juvenile figures, powerful Gosden profile and outstanding trends match. She sets the standard on proven ability and looks the most complete profile in the race.
Felicitas rates the biggest threat after an unbeaten start to her career and already looks well suited to this step up in class and trip, while Sea The Storm appeals strongly as a progressive filly from the red-hot William Haggas yard.
Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien always command respect in these races, meaning Moments Of Joy cannot be underestimated despite slightly weaker ratings than the top three.
