2025 Lockinge Stakes Preview

Boylesports Lockinge 14:35 Newbury

The Lockinge Stakes is one of the premier races in British flat racing, held annually at Newbury
Racecourse. This Group 1 contest is run over a mile and regularly features some of the best
milers in the world. First staged in 1958, the Lockinge has earned a reputation for attracting
high-class performers, with past winners including legends like Frankel, Rock of Gibraltar,
Kingman, and Canford Cliffs.

Renowned for its quality, the Lockinge often features top-rated horses, with the average official
rating of recent winners typically exceeding 120—making it one of the most competitive mile
races in Europe. It also serves as a crucial early-season target for elite milers and a stepping stone
to major summer events such as the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Sussex Stakes at
Goodwood.

Key Stats and Trends
● All of the Previous 11 winners have had ratings of 114 or Higher. Suggesting Persica and
Checkandchallange are likely to be outclassed.
● 8 of the previous 11 winners were aged 4, The 5 year old Prague is removed.
● 8 of the last 11 winners were in the top three in the betting.
With three horses removed we now look at the Remaining horses and assess their chances.

Runner By Runner Guide

2. Dancing Gemini – Has started 2025 with a real bang, winning both the Listed Doncaster Mile
and the Group 2 Sandown Mile in his first two starts of the season. He travelled extremely well at
Sandown, winning by just over a length with Tamfana back in second. Although previously
labelled a soft-ground specialist, that theory was firmly dismissed under Ryan Moore last time
out. Moore retains the ride and, despite an awkward draw, Dancing Gemini holds serious claims
with him back on board.

3. Lead Artist – Made his seasonal reappearance behind Dancing Gemini and Tamfana at
Sandown, where he was comprehensively beaten, finishing last of eight. However, he was a
consistent performer at a high level last year, finishing in the top three on all occasions, including
victories in two Group 3 races—one of which came on fast ground. History suggests he usually
needs his first run of the season, so that latest effort might be worth forgiving. . While he may
lack the class of some of his main rivals, he remains a talented horse and could be overpriced
here, especially with Oisin Murphy booked for the first time.

4. Notable Speech – Already established as a top-class miler, he claimed both the 2000 Guineas
and the Sussex Stakes as a three-year-old. He got the better of Rosallion earlier in the season but
finished behind that rival when they clashed at Royal Ascot. Last seen running a highly

respectable third in the Breeders’ Cup, he reopposes Rosallion off the same rating, setting up
what promises to be a fascinating rematch.

7. Rosallion – He enjoyed a stellar 2024, winning two Group 1 races and finishing a close second
behind Notable Speech in the 2000 Guineas. He provided his connections with Classic success by
landing the Irish 2000 Guineas. Best seen to effect on good ground, he boasts an overall record of
5 wins from 7 starts. A setback has kept him on the sidelines recently, and while his talent is
undoubted, questions remain over his fitness following injury and a layoff.

8. Fallen Angel– Fallen Angel is another horse who brings Guineas form to the table, Winning
the Irish 1000 by 2 lengths. While she is clearly a very talented horse. She has plenty to find in
this Field.

9. Tamfana – A highly talented Group 1 winning filly with a strong 1m record.Including victory
in the Sun Chariot and a placed finish in last year’s QEII; made a respectable seasonal return at
Sandown, finishing just under 2 lengths behind Dancing Gemini while conceding weight; now
enjoys a 5lb swing in the weights and looks to have a genuine chance.

Race Preview/ Selection
This shapes up to be one of the best mile races of the season, featuring multiple Group 1 and
Classic winners. Picking a winner looks extremely tough.
Rosallion has excellent claims on paper, though his fitness must be taken on trust. That said, he’s
a high-class horse, and it would be no surprise to see him win.
Dancing Gemini, rated 5lb below his main market rivals, will likely need to improve again to take
this — but that’s certainly not out of the question. He travelled extremely well and quickened
nicely in both of his victories this season, notably getting the better of Tamfana at Sandown. He
should be able to confirm the placings with her.
Notable Speech showed an incredible turn of foot to win the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, just as
he did when beating Rosallion in the 2000 Guineas. He’s reported to be in very good order for
this seasonal return and has proven he goes well fresh, having won on debut. The addition of
Fallen Angel should ensure there’s a strong pace for him to aim at, and being drawn in stall 9 is a
plus. He looks like a major player on ground he should relish.

Selection- Notable Speech 1pt win 9/2