Whirl Wins Musidora Stakes in Dominant York Classic Trial

Willie Mullins has taken on training Reaching High, the first racehorse owned by King Charles III and Queen Camilla to be based in Ireland, with plans to target the Royal Ascot. Meanwhile, Aidan O'Brien's filly Whirl, sired by Wootton Bassett, delivered an emphatic five-and-a-half-length victory in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York, reinforcing her status as a leading Oaks contender despite some reservations about the ideal race distance. Whirl's pedigree is notably strong, linked to multiple Group 1 winners, and her recent form has further boosted confidence in Wootton Bassett's first Coolmore-conceived crop of three-year-olds, which has shown considerable promise. Connections are considering alternative targets for Whirl, possibly the Prix de Diane, as her stamina over the Oaks distance remains uncertain. Ryan Moore, who rode Whirl, praised her performance and adaptability over the stepping-up trip, highlighting her straightforward nature and potential. The success of both Mullins with Reaching High and O'Brien with Whirl underscores a vibrant period in Irish training and breeding, with royal patronage and elite bloodlines playing key roles.