space voyage

Space Voyage is a seven-year-old daughter of Kayf Tara with four wins under her belt and plenty more to look forward to.

Based with dual Gr.1-winning trainer Olly Murphy at his Warren Chase Stables in Wilmcote, near Stratford Upon Avon, she was purchased by Deva Racing from Olly’s father, renowned bloodstock agent Aiden Murphy, after winning a Market Rasen bumper in June 2022. 

Despite looking green during the race, Space Voyage finished strongly to beat the previous winner Victory Club (Soldier Of Fortune) and subsequent winner Mactavish (Yorgunnabelucky) by a length and a quarter and 13 lengths. 

As a British-bred, Space Voyage qualifies for the lucrative Great British Bonus Scheme, meaning she can earn up to £20,000 on top of her allocated prizemoney if winning an eligible race. She secured the first of those bonuses in her bumper, then was brilliantly placed by Olly to win three more bonus races over hurdles for Deva Racing owners in the spring of 2023. 

She had made her hurdling debut at Newbury, finishing a highly creditable fourth at 100/1 behind Jupiter Du Gite (Castle Du Berlais), then cruised to a 17-length success on her second start at Lingfield (beating the now 130-rated Spring Note), before adding further wins at Huntingdon and Ludlow (beating the three-time future winner Ajp Kingdom) on her next two starts, stepping up to 2m5f on the latter occasion.

Following that brilliant hat-trick there was great excitement ahead of Space Voyage going novice chasing during the 2023/24 season. Unfortunately, however, a wind issue was discovered when she finished out of the frame on her chasing debut at Worcester in October. Chasing was scrapped for the season as she had wind surgery shortly afterwards, but she confirmed she retains all her ability when third in a Class 2 handicap hurdle at Wincanton.

In addition to her significant ability on the track, Space Voyage has a pedigree that screams potential off it. She is one of several winners produced by Maiden Voyage (Slip Anchor), a winning half-sister to the 2016 Grand National winner Rule The World (Sulamani). She is going to make a brilliant broodmare when the time comes. 

Olly Murphy says: ‘Space Voyage has been an absolute star for Deva thus far, she looks extremely progressive. I think she will be a gorgeous mare to jump fences with and she is one we are all really excited about.’

Although a little below-par in her most recent appearances, there remains much to look forward to with Space Voyage moving forwards, particularly when she goes back over fences.