Three days at York including the Dante Stakes — the most important Derby trial of the season — plus the Musidora (Oaks trial), the Yorkshire Cup (Gold Cup pipeline) and the rebranded Minster Stakes (formerly Duke of York Stakes).
Headline races
- Musidora Stakes (Wed, G3) — Oaks trial
- Minster Stakes (Wed, G2) — sprint headliner
- Dante Stakes (Thu, G2) — Derby trial
- Middleton Stakes (Thu, G2)
- Yorkshire Cup (Fri, G2) — Gold Cup pipeline
Where it's held
Our Dante Festival coverage
Dante Festival 2026 Preview: Christmas Day, Scandinavia & the Minster Rebrand
York's Dante Festival 13-15 May 2026: ALL three days in the books. Day 1: Legacy Link wins Musidora (Gosden's record-equalling 9th); 8/1 Elmonjed wins rebranded Minster. Day 2: Item 11/2 wins Dante (now 5/1 Epsom Derby joint-fav); See The Fire back-to-back in Middleton. Day 3: Rahiebb 4/1 wins Yorkshire Cup as 8/13F Amiloc flops to 6th. Full results, quotes, Royal Ascot implications.
Dante Stakes 2026 Tips: Christmas Day 9/4F in 8-Runner Race
Thursday 14 May 2026 at York, 16:05 BST. The Dante Stakes (G2, 1m2½f, 3yo c/g) — the most important Derby trial in Europe. Christmas Day (A O'Brien / Moore, 9/4F) heads the 8-runner field; Morshdi (Haggas / Marquand, 5/2) the each-way pick; Item (Balding, 11/2, unbeaten Frankel son) the dark horse. ITV1 + ITVX live.
Musidora Stakes 2026 Tips: Legacy Link 11/8F in 6-Runner Race
Wednesday 13 May 2026 at York, 16:05 BST. Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (G3, 1m2½f, 3yo fillies). Final 6-runner field. Legacy Link (Gosden / Buick, 11/8F) heads — Juddmonte-owned Dubawi filly, seasonal debut. Felicitas (Walker, 5/2) the each-way pick; Moments Of Joy (A O'Brien, 4/1) chases. Race-day verdict.
Yorkshire Cup 2026 Tips: Amiloc 6/4F at York Friday
Friday 15 May 2026 at York, 16:05 BST. Boodles Yorkshire Cup Stakes (G2, 1m5f188y, 4yo+). 7 declared. Amiloc (R Beckett / Rossa Ryan, 6/4F) firmed from 13/8 overnight; Rahiebb (Varian) 7/2; Epic Poet (O'Meara, Tudhope) 5/1 as the 2025 runner-up returning. Plus Day 2 results context (Item won Dante, See The Fire back-to-back Middleton).
Minster Stakes 2026 Tips: Time For Sandals 7/2F at York
Wednesday 13 May 2026 at York, 15:30 BST. The Minster Stakes (G2, 6f, 4yo+, GBP 165,000) — the race formerly known as the Duke of York Stakes. 13 runners declared. Time For Sandals 7/2F is the late market mover; Kind Of Blue (Wathnan / Appleby, 11/2) and Big Mojo (M Appleby, 6/1) chase. Race-day verdict.
Course guide
York Racecourse
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