As the highlight of the flat season at Newbury, the Lockinge Stakes is invariably a race to savour. The 2025 edition was all set up to be a cracker. In Notable Speech, Rosallion, and Fallen Angel, we had the winners of the 2024 editions of the English 2,000 Guineas, Irish 2,000 Guineas, and Irish 1,000 Guineas. Of that trio, Rosallion had traded as clear favourite for much of the week preceding the race. A slight drift on the day saw the Richard Hannon colt lose his place at the head of the market to one of the most improved stars of 2025.
A little unlucky not to claim the French 2,000 Guineas, the Roger Teal-trained Dancing Gemini ended his Classic campaign with zero wins from five starts. However, he had exploded into life at four, with back-to-back wins in Listed and Group 3 events at Doncaster and Sandown. Was he now ready to claim that elusive Group 1 success? Backed into favouritism on the day, the market suggested a big run was expected.
The David Menusier-trained Tamfana completed a two-pronged attack for the fillies and brought strong form from her Classic campaign – most notably an unlucky fourth in the 1,000 Guineas and an impressive victory in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes.
Of the others, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Lead Artist made most appeal. By Dubawi and out of a Group 2-winning Frankel mare, the Juddmonte runner was just about the pick of the field on pedigree. However, he needed to bounce back from a complete no-show on his seasonal return in the bet365 Mile.
Result
- 1st – Lead Artist 17/2, Jockey: Oisin Murphy, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
- 2nd – Dancing Gemini 2/1F, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Roger Teal
- 3rd – Rosallion 9/4, Jockey: Sean Levey, Trainer: Richard Hannon
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £226,840
- 2nd – £86,000
- 3rd – £43,040
- 4th – £21,440
- 5th – £10,760
- 6th – £5,400
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £9.50
- Tote Places – 1st – £2.70, 2nd – £1.15. 3rd – £1.20
- Exacta – £25.80
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £25.60
- Trifecta – £89
- Tricast – £52.12
Recap
There was no frantic dash for the lead when the stalls opened, with Lead Artist, Fallen Angel, and Persica making up the first wave of three. Rosallion and Tamfana came next, with Dancing Gemini a length back towards the outside. Notable Speech and the rank outsider Checkandchallenge brought up the rear in the opening exchanges.
Approaching halfway, Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Fallen Angel had taken the bull by the horns to inject a little pace into proceedings. Persica sat a length back in second, with Lead Artist nicely settled in third by Oisin Murphy. Tamfana travelled well in fourth, ahead of Rosallion and Dancing Gemini. Further back, Notable Speech appeared to be finding things happening a little quickly.
Fallen Angel’s trailblazing effort came to an end at the two-furlong pole as the runners fanned out across the track to launch their challenges. Lead Artist grabbed a narrow lead up the centre of the track but was quickly joined by market leader Dancing Gemini. Rosallion began to find his stride towards the near side, with Notable Speech belatedly making progress from the rear. Tamfana found herself tapped for toe as the pace quickened and lost all chance when hampered by the backtracking Fallen Angel.
Dancing Gemini looked set to reward favourite backers when nosing into a narrow lead at the furlong pole. However, Lead Artist wasn’t done with yet. Galvanised by the Murphy drive, the Juddmonte-owned runner came with a renewed effort to hit the front inside the final 50 yards and score by a neck. Dancing Gemini ran a fine race in second, with Rosallion just edging Notable Speech for third.
A fifth Lockinge Stakes for John Gosden and a third training in partnership with his son Thady. Champion jockey Oisin Murph claimed the race for the first time, whilst this was the second win for Juddmonte following the success of Frankel in 2012.
Runners
- 1. Checkandchallenge – SP: 125/1, Trainer: William Knight, Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
- 2. Dancing Gemini – SP: 2/1F, Trainer: Roger Teal, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 3. Lead Artist – SP: 17/2, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- 4. Notable Speech – SP: 9/2, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
- 5. Persica – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Richard Hannon, Jockey: Tom Marquand
- 6. Prague – Non-Runner
- 7. Rosallion – SP: 9/4, Trainer: Richard Hannon, Jockey: Sean Levey
- 8. Fallen Angel – SP: 20/1, Trainer: Karl Burke, Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
- 9. Tamfana – SP: 15/2, Trainer: David Menusier, Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Non-Runners
Prague (temperature)