Ebor Festival Day 2 Preview: Lowther Stakes and Yorkshire Oaks

The Lowther Stakes takes centre stage at York on Thursday, 20 August, as one of the most prestigious two-year-old fillies’ races in the British Flat racing calendar. Run over six furlongs on York’s straight course, the Group 2 contest has built a strong reputation for identifying fillies capable of making their mark at the highest level.

Among the leading contenders for Thursday’s Lowther Stakes is Libertango, a smart two-year-old filly with an impressive profile, having already won at Group 3 level and subsequently finished a close second in a Group 2.

Her record before York reads three starts, two wins and one second-place finish. More importantly, all three performances have come in progressively stronger company, and she has already demonstrated that six furlongs is within her compass.

Star Of State has raced only twice, but her second appearance was difficult to ignore. After finishing second on debut at Fairyhouse, she made the running in a six-and-a-half-furlong maiden at Leopardstown and pulled nine lengths clear of the field.

That performance earned her TDN Rising Star recognition and prompted connections to supplement her for the Lowther. Her debut has also worked out encouragingly, with Fairyhouse winner Livenka subsequently taking the Ballyhane Stakes.

York therefore presents a straightforward sporting question: can Star Of State translate the promise of her Leopardstown victory into Group 2 company?

The Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks brings fillies and mares aged three and older together over 1m 3f 188y. The 2026 field is expected to be relatively small, with nine runners listed in the latest racecard, which could put greater emphasis on pace and positioning. Three-year-olds also receive a weight allowance against the older mares, adding another dimension to a field containing established Group 1 performers and progressive younger runners.

Kalpana brings arguably the strongest current form. The five-year-old defeated defending champion Calandagan by a length and a half in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, with Irish Derby winner Benvenuto Cellini and dual Derby winner Lambourn also behind her.

That victory was Kalpana’s fourth Group 1 success according to the supplied race preview, and her first at that level against male opposition. It makes her an obvious reference point when comparing the leading contenders for the Yorkshire Oaks.

Minnie Hauk returns to York with something none of her main rivals can match: a victory in this race.

Her 2025 campaign included the Epsom Oaks and Irish Oaks before she completed the sequence by winning the Yorkshire Oaks by three and a half lengths. She later finished a close second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The question is whether she can rediscover that form. Minnie Hauk has gone without a victory in four starts this season, leaving her 2026 form in contrast with an exceptional three-year-old campaign.

The Yorkshire Oaks gives Johanna Walsh the chance to confirm her status as one of Europe’s leading three-year-old fillies. She arrives at York as the reigning Irish Oaks winner after a rapid rise through the 2026 season.

After winning a 10-furlong maiden at Leopardstown in May, she narrowly missed out in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, beaten just a short head over 12 furlongs.

She went one better in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh on 18 July, powering clear to beat Inis Mor by four lengths. Her winning time of 2:28.49 was the fastest in the race since 2005 and the fourth-fastest in its history.

Now with a record of two wins and two places from five starts, Johanna Walsh brings proven Group 1 class and strong 12-furlong form to York. Her Irish Oaks victory, combined with her close second at Royal Ascot, makes her a leading contender for another top-level success.