Rosallion Heads Star-Studded Lockinge Stakes at Newbury
Ace miler Rosallion will face eight runners as he looks to make a winning return in the Lockinge Stakes (G1) May 17 at Newbury Racecourse.
He is joined by stablemate Persica as Richard Hannon bids to match his father’s record of three wins in the race. Rosallion, a 4-year-old son of Blue Point , was last seen landing the St James’s Palace Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot in June 2024, completing a group 1 double after his victory in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1).
Those in opposition in Saturday’s mile test include his English Two Thousand Guineas (G1) conqueror Notable Speech for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. The Dubawi 4-year-old makes his first start since finishing third by three-quarters of a length in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) at Del Mar.
Ryan Moore will ride the Roger Teal-trained Dancing Gemini , who bids to land his first group 1. Moore, who had a fabulous time of things last week capped by winning the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, G1) on Henri Matisse , will ride the son of Camelot for the first time at the Berkshire track and becomes the colt’s fifth different jockey in his last five runs.
Dancing Gemini is 2-for-2 this season after following up listed success in the Doncaster Mile Stakes with victory in the Bet365 Mile (G2) at Sandown last month, and he is a general 11-4 second favorite behind Rosallion.
Moore will replace Rossa Ryan, who was aboard at Sandown, after a discussion between Teal and owner David Fish. Kieran Shoemark had the ride at Doncaster while Tom Marquand and Oisin Murphy partnered the 4-year-old on his final two runs last season.
Teal said: “It was a very hard decision and it took days of conversation, but the owner came to that conclusion that when you have Ryan (Moore) offered to you, it’s hard to refuse.”
Dancing Gemini has completed his final major piece of preparation, and Teal added: “He’s doing well. He’s done all his work and we have to keep him fresh and healthy now.
“It’s not going to be easy, but it never will be when you’re chasing a group 1. We know what we’re taking on, but if he brings his A-game then he should run very well.”
Lead Artist , for John and Thady Gosden, has a new jockey for the first time with Oisin Murphy set to replace Kieran Shoemark after the Gosdens adopted a “best available” rider policy following this year’s Two Thousand Guineas (G1).
Shoemark, though, has picked up the ride on last season’s Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Fallen Angel with Wathnan Racing’s retained rider James Doyle still sidelined through injury.
Tamfana will head to Newbury, despite having the option of going to France, with Rossa Ryan to take the ride. Checkandchallenge and Prague complete the line-up.
