Mecca’s Angel: A Yorkshire Legend’s Legacy in the Nunthorpe Stakes

Few victories have resonated as deeply with racing fans in recent years as Mecca’s Angel’s back-to-back triumphs in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes in 2015 and 2016. The speedy grey not only cemented her place as one of the finest sprinters in modern racing history, but also provided a breakthrough moment for the partnership of trainer Michael Dods and jockey Paul Mulrennan.

For Dods and Mulrennan, both well-established figures on the northern racing circuit, these victories were their first taste of Group One glory. The fact that it happened at York during the iconic Ebor meeting made it all the more special. For northern-based owner David Metcalfe, it was a moment of local pride, with the cheering crowd’s ovation almost rivaling that given to the legendary Frankel just a few years prior.

In the often tight and fiercely contested five-furlong sprints, Mecca’s Angel’s victories stood out for their dominance. She won both editions of the race by a clear two lengths—an impressive margin in such top-tier company. Her triumphs were a testament not only to her raw speed, but also to her tenacity and the skillful handling by her connections.

The 2015 race was particularly memorable as Mecca’s Angel took on Wesley Ward’s imposing two-year-old filly, Acapulco. The American filly, built like a fully mature sprinter, carried just 8st with top jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle. After a dazzling break from the gates, Acapulco looked uncatchable halfway through the race. However, as her stride began to falter, Mecca’s Angel surged home to win comfortably.

“Acapulco was owned by Coolmore, who sponsor the race, and I can imagine those watching thought she was gone,” Mulrennan recalls. “But Mecca’s Angel was so tough and really stuck her neck out. She got there comfortably in the end, despite the weight advantage Acapulco had.”

Mulrennan also highlights the pivotal decision made by Michael Dods that year, when he withdrew Mecca’s Angel from the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot due to quick ground. “It was brave of Michael to pull her out of Ascot when she was favorite. She was in top form, and we all thought she’d win, but he made the right call. That patience paid off at York.”

The following year, Mecca’s Angel confirmed her status as a sprinting superstar. After a close defeat at Haydock and a win in Ireland, she was once again primed for York. This time, the challenge came from the favorite, Limato, who tracked her every move. But when Mulrennan asked for a final effort, Mecca’s Angel responded in style, storming clear to seal her place in history.

“I always say it was a pity she was sold after winning her second Nunthorpe because I’m adamant she’d have won a third,” Mulrennan reflects. “She was just getting bigger and stronger with age.”

Mecca’s Angel’s legacy now continues in the breeding sheds, where she’s proving to be just as formidable. Acquired by Coolmore, she has already produced the exciting Galileo filly Content, who went close in the Irish Oaks, and Bedtime Story, a daughter of Frankel who looks like a star in the making. With three wins already, including dominant displays at Southwell and Hamilton, Bedtime Story has inherited much of her dam’s speed and style.

“It’s great to see how well she’s doing at stud now,” says Mulrennan. “Bedtime Story is the first one who really looks like Mecca’s Angel—same low head carriage, similar action, and plenty of pace. Combine that with Frankel, and you’ve got something special.”

Mecca’s Angel was always a horse with an aura about her. From the moment she set foot on the track, she hinted at greatness, and her career delivered in spades. “She was special from day one,” Mulrennan recalls fondly. “She always had a bit about her, and Michael was smart in not over-racing her as a two-year-old. The best ones often need patience, and Mecca’s Angel was a prime example of that.”

As York prepares for another edition of the Nunthorpe, Mecca’s Angel’s legacy as one of the race’s great champions is firmly established—a true northern star whose brilliance continues to shine through her offspring.