Gstaad Among 54 Entered For The £125,000 Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes

A total of 54 two-year-olds have been entered for the £125,000 Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes, set to be run over six furlongs at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday 20 September.

Among the entries are some formidable names, including A.P. O’Brien’s winner of the Coventry Stakes (Group 2) at Royal Ascot, Gstaad. The Ballydoyle juggernaut have four other runners in the race, including Puerto Rico, who finished second in the Group 2 Railway Stakes last time out. Unlike many of England’s major races, the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes is yet to see O’Brien leave his mark in the history books.

The race has a number of famous names on its role of honour, not least 2007’s victor, Dark Angel, who has sired numerous champions such as Charyn and Battash. In 2015, the race was won by Ribchester, who went on to win multiple Group 1s including the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, The Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and the BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes here at Newbury Racecourse.

No doubt this year could create another future champion. One entry already proving to be something special is Eve Johnson Haughton’s Zavateri, who – despite having carried a penalty – won the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood earlier this week. The colt is unbeaten in his three starts this season. The Oxfordshire-based trainer also stables second entry – Havana Hurricane. As a yearling, the son of Havana Gold cost just 9,000 Guineas at Newmarket’s Sommerville Sale, a huge bargain in the light of his win in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. Having secured a close second last time out in the Newbury’s Wetherby’s Super Sprint, he returns in pursuit of redemption.

Godolphin also holds a strong hand in the race. The highest rated of these is Wise Approach. The son of Mehmas returns in search of another victory after cruising to an impressive win in the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newbury last time out. That performance secured his eligibility for a £50,000 bonus – on top of the total prize fund – should he triumph in the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes, thanks to new incentives introduced by Newbury Racecourse. Stablemate, Military Code, is another one to watch, although he disappointed at Royal Ascot in the Coventry Stakes, finishing down the field. The son of Wootton Basset redeemed himself when finishing second in a Listed race on his next start.

Other notable entries include George Scott’s Staya, who finished second in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Royal Ascot, and Tadej, trained by Archie Watson, who has finished up the field in numerous Group 2 and 3 races this season.

Alongside Ballydoyle’s five, there are two more Irish entries, one from O’Brien’s son – J. P. O’Brien – who could saddle the highly rated Andab, who has not embarrassed himself against tough opposition since his maiden win. M.D O’Callaghan could run his yet unraced son of Mehmas, Shadow Run.