BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes |
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| Group 1, Newbury 14:35 £400,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m, Class 1  |
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A potentially outstanding renewal is taking shape at Newbury, with 13 high-class milers remaining in contention for Saturday’s Group One feature.
Among the leading home challengers is Damysus, who enhanced his reputation with a commanding display in the Betway Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket last month for John and Thady Gosden.
Karl Burke’s previously unbeaten Zeus Olympios, finished third to Charlie Appleby's Opera Ballo in last month's bet365 Mile at Sandown, but is expected to improve significantly for his seasonal return.
Group 1 winner Opera Ballo makes all in the Group 2 @bet365 Mile! pic.twitter.com/9QSNEnmBHS
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 24, 2026
“He’s in great form and will definitely come on fitness-wise for his run at Sandown,” said Burke.
“It’s an open-looking Lockinge and I’ve not lost any confidence in him for getting beat. Obviously it was disappointing to lose his unbeaten tag, but in the long-term that is irrelevant.”
Charlie Appleby could also saddle Breeders’ Cup Mile hero Notable Speech, whose proven Group One form makes him a major player.
Aidan O’Brien has several intriguing options headed by The Lion In Winter, who remains a colt of considerable potential despite not yet fully delivering on early expectations.
🦁 The Lion In Winter makes a winning return in the Listed feature to lead home a 1-2 for Ballydoyle @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/MFHHrhplGK
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 15, 2026
O’Brien has supplemented Mississippi River to help ensure a strong pace, while Expanded also remains among the possible runners.
“The Lion In Winter goes to Newbury, we supplemented a horse this morning to make the running for him (Mississippi River) and Expanded is there as well,” said O’Brien.
“We haven’t seen the best of The Lion In Winter yet. If we get the right set up for him, we might see it.
“We’ll go to the Lockinge and see what will happen. I think he’s come forward from Leopardstown, he needs to, but I think he has.”
Dancing Gemini returns in search of compensation after going agonisingly close in last year’s renewal for Roger Teal, while French interest is supplied by Sahlan, winner of the Prix du Moulin and trained by the in-form Francis-Henri Graffard.
Sahlan was fifth behind Notable Speech at Del Mar and adds further international quality to an already deep-looking field.
The line-up is completed by Charlie Hills’ Cicero’s Gift, Andrew Balding’s pair Jonquil and Gladius, plus William Haggas’ More Thunder.
With established Group One stars, progressive milers and several fascinating tactical angles all converging on Newbury, this year’s Lockinge Stakes promises to be one of the most compelling editions of the race in recent seasons.
Boylesports Lockinge Stakes
(British Champions Series) (Group 1)
£400,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m, Class 1
13 remaining entries
Going: Good to Firm
