Fillies and mares have an excellent record in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1000m) with three of the last five renewals falling to female winners, in receipt of a valuable weight allowance.

The females hold a strong hand in this year’s race, with Francis Henri Graffard’s Rayevka leading the charge. Victorious in the Group 3 Prix de Saint-Georges (1000m) at Longchamp, she proved effective in open Group 1 company when a head second in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot.

“She’s been put aside for this and hopefully we get our ground as there is a bit of rain predicted,” said Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs. “She likes fast ground. The distance and everything is a positive but she’s a hold-up horse in a sprint so does need a bit of luck. If she gets the splits I think she’ll run a good race.”

Richard Hannon’s Pershaada will be looking to become the first two-year-old to win the race since Kingsgate Native in 2007, with opposition forced to concede a considerable amount of weight to the juvenile filly.

“We’re looking forward to running Pershaada,” said Tom Palin of Middleham Park Racing. “We did it a few years ago with a two-year-old filly in Platinum Queen and she only found one too good in Highfield Princess. For all they are both very quick fillies, Pershaada has a little more versatility to her speed. Richard is very confident that she might be able to see six furlongs by the end of the year.”

The fillies and mares challenge is supported by Asfoora and Time For Sandals, who both demonstrated revitalised form in the Group 2 King George Stakes (1000m) at Goodwood, finishing third and fourth respectively. It was an improved effort from the pair, who had been struggling to find their form from 2025, which saw Time For Sandals take Group 1 glory at Royal Ascot and Asfoora win this race.

Photo: Healy Racing