The Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes is the first Group One mile contest for older horses, in the British racing calendar.
The race takes place at Newbury and attained Group One status in 1995, the same year that it became exclusive to horses of four years and older.
The event is named after Lockinge, a civil parish located to the north of Newbury. It was established in 1958, and originally open to horses aged three or older. The first edition was won by that year’s 2000 Guineas Stakes winner Pall Mall, who would repeat his success as a four-year-old in 1959.
Pall Mall’s dual success has been repeated by two other horses: Welsh Pageant (1970 and 1971) and Soviet Line (1995 and 1996).
Sir Michael Stoute is the most successful trainer in the history of the Lockinge Stakes, winning it seven times, with: Scottish Reel (1986), Safawan (1990), Soviet Line (1995, 1996), Medicean (2001), Russian Rhythm (2004), Peeress (2006).
Lester Piggott is the most successful jockey in the race’s history, with six victories: Sovereign Path (1960), The Creditor (1964), Sparkler (1973), Belmont Bay (1981), Polar Falcon (1991), Swing Low (1993).
Some of the great horses of the post-war years have won the Lockinge Stakes.
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Brigadier Gerard was successful in 1972 and the popular Boldboy was also victorious for trainer Dick Hern, a couple of years later.
The top class three year old Young Generation landed the 1979 renewal and his great rival Kris, took the spoils in 1980.
In 1984, Champion Stakes winner Cormorant Wood and Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Wassl, produced the race’s only dead-heat.
The top class Then Again won in 1987 and in 1991, Lester Piggott rode the French colt Polar Falcon to victory over that top class filly In The Groove.
A year later it was the outstanding miler Selkirk and another top class miler in First Island, was successful in 1997.
Cape Cross made his name as a stallion, but also won the Lockinge Stakes as a racehorse in 1998.
He was one of a record eight winners of the race in the Godolphin royal blue silks, with Aljabr following-up two years later.
Medicean won the race in 2001 and in 2003, Hawk Wing put up an astounding performance.
In a vintage period, the 1,000 Guineas winner Russian Rhythm won in 2004, followed by the enigmatic but brilliant Rakti a year later.
Richard Hannon enjoyed back to back winners in 2010 and 2011, with Paco Boy and Canford Cliffs.
Image supplied by Newbury Racecourse
However, 2012 saw the brilliant Frankel add his name to the illustrious roll of honour.
Frankel’s old rival Farhh won a year later before Olympic Glory added another Lockinge for the Hannons. They made it four wins in six renewals in 2015, when 2,000 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder was successful.
Former Dewhurst Stakes winner Belardo came back to form to give Roger Varian a first Lockinge a year later – and then Ribchester was all class in 2017.
The 2018 renewal produced a thriller, with Aidan O’Brien’s filly Rhododendron inching future Sussex Stakes winner Lightning Spear.
Lockinge Stakes Winners:
