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Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes To Honour Legendary Jockey Geoff Lewis
Newbury Racecourse is proud to announce that this year’s renewal of the prestigious Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes will be run in honour of the late Geoff Lewis, who partnered the great Mill Reef to a string of unforgettable victories in the early 1970s.
The race will be officially titled: The Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (In honour of Geoff Lewis)
This special tribute forms part of Dubai Duty Free’s 30th year of sponsorship at Newbury Racecourse. The feature race – taking place on Saturday 20th September – headlines the Dubai Duty Free International Weekend, which also includes the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup and the Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes. The two-day fixture promises another top-class weekend of racing at the Berkshire track.
Geoff Lewis, one of the most respected jockeys of his generation, famously guided Mill Reef to multiple major victories across all three of his racing seasons. The most notable of these came in 1971, including the Greenham Stakes, Epsom Derby, Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Their partnership continues to be celebrated in racing history and was a key inspiration when the Mill Reef Stakes was inaugurated in 1972, just a year on from the colt’s glittering three-year-old campaign and shortly after his retirement to stud.
Open to two-year-olds only, the 6f contest is now worth an increased total prize fund of £125,000. Traditionally named after the legendary racehorse, the recognition of Geoff Lewis – who remains one of the sport’s most admired figures after his death last month – is especially fitting.
Following last week’s scratching stage, 35 high-class two-year-olds remain entered for the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (In honour of Geoff Lewis), including a strong representation from leading owners Godolphin, Coolmore and Wathnan Racing with trainers such as Clive Cox, Charlie Appleby, and Aidan O’Brien currently eyeing victory in this key end-of-season juvenile sprint.
The next confirmation stage is on Monday 15th September.
To round off proceedings, BRIT Award-winning artist James Bay will perform live after racing on Saturday, adding a musical highlight to what promises to be an unforgettable day for racegoers of all ages. A full programme of off-track entertainment is also planned throughout the weekend.
