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Lockinge Stakes
The Lockinge Stakes are a relatively new race. It was inaugurated in 1958 and has since been run annually at Newbury Racecourse. Every May the race is held over a one mile distance, it is open to thoroughbreds of both sexes aged four years or older. Originally the Lockinge Stakes were open to three-year-old thoroughbreds as well; the age restrictions were imposed in 1995.
Until the age limit was altered to four years and older, the Lockinge Stakes was not considered the prestigious race it is today. When the grading system was introduced in 1971 the race was classed as a Group 2 event. However, in 1983, it was actually degraded and declared a Group 3 race - only to be returned to Group 2 status two years later in 1985. It wasn't until the change of age limit in 1995 that the Lockinge Stakes was classified as a Group 1 race, elevating it to the ranks of the most anticipated and valuable races on the United Kingdom racing calendar. It is run on turf and offers a purse of £250,000.
Since it was introduced into the racing scene the Lockinge Stakes has been entered by some of the most iconic jockeys and horses of our time. The legendary Pall Mall, Welsh Pageant and Soviet Line, for example, are the only three horses to win the Locking Stakes twice respectively. Jockey Lester Piggott, who was one of the first celebrities of the racing world, to this day holds the records of the most Lockinge Stakes wins - racing to victory six times between 1960 and 1993.
Recent Winners of the Lockinge Stakes:
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer | Time |
2010 |
Paco Boy |
Richard Hughes |
Richard Hannon |
1:37.31 |
2009 |
Virtual |
Jimmy Fortune |
John Gosden |
1:40.32 |
2008 |
Creachadoir |
Frankie Dettori |
Saeed Bin Suroor |
1:38.70 |
2007 |
Red Evie |
Jamie Spencer |
Michael Bell |
1:40.43 |
2006 |
Peeress |
Kieren Fallon |
Sir Michael Stoute |
1:44.57 |
2005 |
Rakti |
Philip Robinson |
Michael Jarvis |
1:33.59 |
Lockinge Stakes Odds and News
18 May 2010: Paco Boy’s The Man At Newbury
Lockinge Stakes favourite Paco Boy proved himself worthy of the bookies’ trust when he raced to a fairy tale win on Saturday 15th May at Newbury Racecourse. The five-year-old gave a performance worthy of being reproduced on the silver screen – partly thanks to his jockey Richard Hughes.
Hughes pulled off a feat most jockeys wouldn’t dare to dream about when starting in a Group 1 race as competitive and prestigious as the Lockinge Stakes; he took his time and triumphed. For most of the race Hughes did not seem to have the urge to get ahead, but when he unleashed the full powers of his mount on the home stretch there was very little the competitors could do apart from watch Paco Boy take the lead and the prize.
Trainer Richard Hannon was unable to contain his emotions when Paco Boy charged first across the line, leading to one of the first tearful celebrations of a victory of this flat racing season. Hannon was gushing with pride at his charge’s great win, hinting towards Paco Boy’s future appearances at the Queen Anne Stakes and the Sussex Stakes at the Royal Ascot Festival later in the season. Paco Boy, said Hannon, could turn out to be the best horse Hannon ever had the privilege of training.
Four-year-old Ouqba from the training stables of Barry Hills ran to a valiant second place, just ¾ of a length behind the unstoppable Paco Boy. Third, 3 ½ lengths after the 16-1 underdog Ouqba followed Lord Shanakill, ridden by Tom Queally and trained by Henry Cecil.
With a only a month to go until the Royal Ascot Festival brings together some of the most outstanding equine contenders currently active for a legendary flat racing extravaganza, keep an eye out for the top three contenders of the Lockinge Stakes. There surely are great things to come.
12 May 2010: Getting Ready To Rumble – The Looming Lockinge Stakes
10 May 2010: First Class Racing At Newbury – The Lockinge Weekend
