Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes
Group 1, Newbury 15:35
£350,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
1m, Class 1    
Saturday 18th May 2024

FreeRacingTips

Inspiral, the multiple Group One-winning mare, is poised for a comeback in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. Owned by Cheveley Park Stud, she continues to ride the crest of success.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Inspiral secured her third consecutive Group One victory last summer by triumphing in the Prix Jacques le Marois. Her impressive win at Deauville was followed by further top-level successes in the Sun Chariot Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup.

As the new season unfolds, Inspiral’s targets have been set, with the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes as her seasonal debut. This prestigious one-mile event at Newbury is scheduled for May 18. However, if the high-class Lockinge Stakes arrives too early for the nine-time winner, the backup plan involves starting her campaign at Royal Ascot in June, just as she did twelve months ago.

Chris Richardson, the managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, explains, “The Lockinge is the plan, but obviously she is a filly that likes to take her time to come in the spring as we’ve seen before. Certainly, the Lockinge looks like the first engagement we can consider, and if she tells us she’s not quite ready, then we can wait until the Queen Anne.”

Inspiral, now five years old, had a successful end to 2023, including capturing the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf over 10 furlongs at Santa Anita. While the initial focus is on a mile, options for longer distances may be explored as the summer progresses. Richardson adds, “We will definitely be considering going a mile and a quarter. She’s a lovely filly who is still maturing and developing.”

Boylesports

Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes
(British Champions Series) (Group 1)
£350,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m, Class 1
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