Group Two City Of York Stakes Guide 2023

Alex Dudley | @@Alex_Dudz_

York - August 25 2023
York 14:00
6(10)
Daniel Tudhope

Pogo

J: Daniel Tudhope
T: Charles Hills
N/A
Age: 7
Weight: 9-8
OR: 108
Days: 7

Daniel Tudhope takes the ride on Charles Hills-trained Pogo this weekend. The seven-year-old was an excellent second in this race 12 months ago, but his form hasn’t been at the same level this term.

He was tenth of 12 on his return to the track over a mile in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes, before reverting back to seven furlongs on his previous start when last of nine in the G2 Hungerford Stakes.

York - August 25 2023
York 14:00
1(5)
William Buick

Al Suhail

J: William Buick
T: Charlie Appleby
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 9-8
OR: 116
Days: 63

Charlie Appleby and William Buick join forces with Al Suhail in the Group Two this weekend. The six-year-old was back in sixth on his return to the track after a 91-day break at Royal Ascot.

He finished five lengths behind Khaadem in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, and down in grade, he could make a stronger bid than he did 12 months ago when seventh of 13.

York - August 25 2023
York 14:00
4(6)
Frankie Dettori

Kinross

J: Frankie Dettori
T: Ralph Beckett
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 9-8
OR: 119
Days: 25

Frankie Dettori takes the ride on Ralph Beckett-trained Kinross this weekend. The six-year-old was an impressive winner of this race 12 months ago, and he has worked his way back into form this year after failing to land over six furlongs on his two first starts this season.

However, he looked back to his best at Goodwood earlier this month, beating Isaac Shelby by a neck in the G2 Lennox Stakes.

York - August 25 2023
York 14:00
7(4)
Tom Marquand

Sacred

J: Tom Marquand
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-5
OR: 113
Days: 63

William Haggas and Tom Marquand join forces with Sacred in the race this weekend. The five-year-old was excellent over seven furlongs on the all-weather on his return to action in May, beating Sandrine by two and a quarter lengths.

That was followed with a strong effort when beaten by a neck in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. Down in grade this weekend, and holds extremely solid claims.

York - August 25 2023
York 14:00
3(9)
Charles Bishop

Jumby

J: Charles Bishop
T: Eve Johnson Houghton
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-8
OR: 111
Days: 56

Jumby is trained by Even Johnson Houghton, and will be the ride of Charles Bishop this weekend. The five-year-old was two lengths second behind Audience on his previous start, but remains of interest back over seven furlongs after winning at Haydock in June.

However, he will need a career-best effort this weekend after finishing last of nine in the City of York last year.

York - August 25 2023
York 14:00
5(7)
Ryan Moore

Mutasaabeq

J: Ryan Moore
T: Charles Hills
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-8
OR: 116
Days: 67

Mutasaabeq is the runner for Charles Hills this weekend. The five-year-old will be the ride of Ryan Moore, and he will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing recent effort over a mile when eleventh of 12 in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes.

His form before that effort was solid, as he landed victory at Newmarket over Native Trail by three lengths, and was fifth in the G1 Lockinge Stakes. Dropping back down to seven furlongs this weekend makes him of serious interest in Group Two company.

York - August 25 2023
York 14:00
8(1)
Oisin Murphy

Sandrine

J: Oisin Murphy
T: Andrew Balding
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-5
OR: 105
Days: 20

Sandrine is the likely outsider in the field for the connections of Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy this weekend. He is without a win in four efforts this season, and was extremely disappointing at Royal Ascot in June when finishing behind a number of re-appearing rivals in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

Unable to bounce back over six and a half furlongs on his previous start when sixth of ten at Deauville.

York - August 25 2023
York 14:00
2(2)
Robert Havlin

Audience

J: Robert Havlin
T: John & Thady Gosden
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-8
OR: 113
Days: 25

Robert Havlin will take the ride on John & Thady Gosden-trained Audience this weekend. The four-year-old was last of six on good to soft ground at Goodwood in the G2 Lennox Stakes in August.

However, he was impressive over seven furlongs before that effort when beating Jumby by two lengths in the G3 Criterion Stakes. Could be back in the mix in favourable conditions.

York - August 25 2023
York 14:00
11(8)
Kevin Stott

Olivia Maralda

J: Kevin Stott
T: Roger Varian
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 109
Days: 63

Roger Varian’s runner in the race this weekend is Olivia Maralda, who will be the ride of Kevin Stott. The three-year-old was excellent over seven furlongs earlier this season when landing the Surrey Stakes at Epsom.

She was a respectable fifth of 15 in the G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing just a length and three-quarters behind Age of Kings. She looks a sound each-way angle.

York - August 25 2023
York 14:00
9(11)
Rossa Ryan

Covey

J: Rossa Ryan
T: John & Thady Gosden
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-3
OR: 100
Days: 63

Covey will be looking to respond this weekend after finishing ninth in the G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot despite being sent off as favourite. Prior to that effort, he has won three from four this season, including dominant seven furlong wins at Newcastle and Newmarket.

Rossa Ryan jumps aboard this weekend, and the three-year-old could be the forgotten contender.

York - August 25 2023
York 14:00
10(3)
Sean Levey

Isaac Shelby

J: Sean Levey
T: Brian Meehan
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-3
OR: 115
Days: 25

Isaac Shelby is the runner for Brian Meehan this weekend. Sean Levey will take the ride on the progressive three-year-old, who was last seen finishing a neck second to Kinross in the G2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.

He was very impressive over seven furlongs at Newbury earlier this season, beating Charyn by three lengths. Isaac Shelby was outclassed in tough Group 1s following that win, but he could be the most realistic winner here, getting weight off his rivals.