Thirty-Two Entered In Group 1 BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes

The BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes, the first older horse Group 1 of the British Flat Turf season, has attracted 32 strong entries. Run over the straight mile for a total prize fund of £400,000, the feature race of Newbury’s Flat season takes place on Saturday, 17 May. The 2025 renewal, having attracted the largest number of early entries since 2019, marks the first of a threeyear sponsorship deal with Ireland’s largest independent bookmaker, BoyleSports.

Featured amongst the early entries include four of last season’s English and Irish Classic winners. Dual Group 1 winner, Notable Speech (C.Appleby), victorious in last year’s 2,000 Guineas and Qatar Sussex Stakes, could have his first start at the Berkshire track. He is one of three entered in the race for the Godolphin team along with stablemates Mysterious Night and Ottoman Fleet. After finishing third in the Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury, Elmalka went on to land victory in the 1,000 Guineas two weeks later. The daughter of Kingman holds an entry along with the fellow Roger Varian trained striking grey, Tyrrhenian Sea.

Across the Irish Sea, Fallen Angel provided trainer Karl Burke with a first victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. The dual Group 1 winner, last seen finishing fourth behind Friendly Soul in the Prix de l’Opera, is one of two entered in the BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes for Wathnan Racing. The ownership operation also has their 2024 Jersey Stakes winner Haatem entered, one of five entered in the race by trainer Richard Hannon. Haatem was narrowly beaten in a thrilling renewal of the Irish 2,000 Guineas by stablemate and 2024 St James’s Palace Stakes winner Rosallion, who also holds an entry.

Hannon commented on his five strong entries which also include Unquestionable, Persica and Witch Hunter: “We are very happy with them all and they all look great. Persica didn’t get the trip in the Winter Derby at Southwell so we are dropping him back in trip and if it was to come up soft, he could be very dangerous. Unquestionable, like Rosallion, wouldn’t like it soft but he is a very nice addition to the yard. Witch Hunter on his day can be anything, he has been placed in the Lockinge before and is such a brave warrior. Rosallion is in very good form.”

Audience produced a shock result in last year’s renewal when winning at odds of 22-1. The Lennox Stakes winner could bid to be the first horse since Soviet Line in 1995/96 to record back-to-back victories. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Audience holds an entry alongside Group 1 Prix de l’Opera winner, Friendly Soul, as well as stablemates Lead Artist and Sardinian Warrior.

Others among the 32 quality entries include Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes winner Tamfana (D. Menuisier) and dual Group 1 winner Kinross (R.Beckett), not seen over the mile distance since finishing third in the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Keeneland. Early entries also include two French raiders, Alcantor from the Andre Fabre yard and No Lunch, trained by Christophe Ferland.

The first scratching stage is by noon on Tuesday 29 April with final confirmation stage by noon on Monday 12 May.

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