A total of 13 horses remain entered in the Group 1 JLT Lockinge Stakes which takes place this Saturday 18 May at Newbury Racecourse.  Fencing, trained by John Gosden, was a supplementary entry following his win earlier this month in a Listed contest at Ascot in front of Sovereign Debt, another entry in the race. 

With the retirement of last year’s Lockinge winner Frankel, the race will help decide who will be this year’s champion miler.   Farhh, who twice finished runner-up to Frankel last season, will be staking his claim for the Godolphin stable.  His trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, said this morning, “He showed his class last year and whilst he doesn’t show much at home, he did his last piece of work very well and I’m happy with his form following his return from Dubai.”

 After spending most of last season campaigning abroad with the 7 year old Cityscape, Roger Charlton is hoping the horse can claim his first Group 1 domestically this year. 

He said this morning, “Last year, we wanted to avoid Frankel and Cityscape was remarkably consistent in Group 1 races abroad.  This year, we are hoping to have a clearer run and on Official Ratings, you could argue that he remains the best miler in training although there are other horses coming through so he would need to produce his best to win this race.” 

One of the horses Charlton mentioned was Declaration of War, who together with Reply, represent Aidan O’Brien’s remaining entries in the race.  Following a winning debut and with the stable in good form, he would no doubt pose a strong challenge.

Further international interest in the race comes from Amaron, trained in Germany by Andreas Lowe who said, “He wasn’t 100% fit when he finished third in a Group 3 in Paris last month, he is very fit now and I’m in a good mood about the race but I recognise how hard it will be to win.”

Local trainer Richard Hannon keeps both Trumpet Major and Libranno in the race who finished first and fourth respectively in the Group 3 bet365 mile at Sandown last month, with Hughie Morrison’s Chil The Kite in third, also expected to line up this Saturday.

 The JLT Lockinge Stakes forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series.   The Series highlights the 35 best Flat races in Britain which, overall, are the best in the world. Indeed eight of the world’s 16 highest-rated races are in the QIPCO British Champions Series, something which no other country can come close to matching.

One new Series focus this year is a special “RaceMaker” initiative designed to help new racegoers understand more about the wonderful sport of horse racing.  Racing fans are being sought to share their passion and knowledge with novice racegoers in return for free tickets and other goodies.  Details on how to become a RaceMaker can be found on the BCS website.  As well as the RaceMakers, there will also be the opportunity to Meet a Racehorse and take part in behind the scenes tours and guided trips to the start and parade ring with free kids packs and treasure hunts available for children.

 As well as the racing, the day also features a celebration of local ales and food with over 40 real ales and ciders on offer, a selection of food stalls from local producers and live music, promising a great day out for racing newcomers and avid racing fans alike.

 Tickets for JLT Lockinge Stakes Day are on sale from £20.