18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly

In this 1xBet Ireland review, we’ll explore the key storylines surrounding the main Group 1 race at Newbury. Damysus and Notable Speech are the leading contenders, but Night Of Thunder from Karl Burke’s stable could be the cause of a major upset.  

2:35 Newbury – Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) – 1m

One of the most prestigious mile races in Europe, the Lockinge Stakes was first run in 1958, received Group 2 status in 1971 and was elevated to Group 1 level in 1995.

The race is traditionally plays a key role for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. Palace Pier and Baaeed completed the Lockinge-Queen Anne double in 2021 and 2022 respectively, although it is far from straightforward. Between 2000 and 2020 only Frankel, Canford Cliffs, Ribchester and Medicean managed to win both races in the same season.

Open to four-year-olds and older horses, the Lockinge often determines the pecking order among the older milers before the Classic generation joins the division after Royal Ascot with the benefit of a weight allowance.

This year’s renewal looks particularly fascinating, with several horses attempting to establish themselves as major mile division players for the remainder of the season.

Damysus Heads the Market

Lockinge Stakes (Since 2021)

The betting with 1xBet Ireland is headed by Damysus for the powerful Gosden team.

John Gosden and Thady Gosden have won three of the last five runnings and Damysus arrives seeking a fourth consecutive victory.

Initially campaigned as a Derby horse last season, he outran 16/1 odds when second in the Dante before failing to stay at Epsom. Dropped in both trip and class afterwards, he won a Listed race at Deauville over 10 furlongs before ending his season with a Group 3 success over 9 furlongs at Newmarket.

His owners, Wathnan Racing, were sufficiently impressed by the strength of that form to subsequently purchase runner-up Gladius.

Damysus returned this season with a dominant victory in the Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket, beating King’s Gambit by 3¾ lengths. However, whether that performance fully justifies favouritism for a Group 1 mile contest is debatable.

King’s Gambit was subsequently beaten over seven lengths by Lambourn at Chester, while Boiling Point, Persica, Prague and Skukuza are all smart horses without being elite milers.

That is not to say Damysus cannot win. He arrives in peak form, remains open to improvement on his second run of the season and represents a yard with an outstanding Lockinge record.

However, at odds below 3/1, there are enough questions to oppose him.

By Frankel out of a Group 2-winning mare over 12 furlongs, there is also a possibility that 10 furlongs may ultimately prove his optimum trip.

Notable Speech Opposable at the Prices

Notable Speech was initially backed into second favouritism but the market has cooled noticeably in recent days.

A four-time Group 1 winner and Breeders’ Cup Mile hero, he is unquestionably talented. However, his profile comes with concerns.

He was beaten in this race last season, with the lack of a prep run blamed afterwards. The same excuse could not be used following his defeat in the Queen Anne, while backers again searched for explanations after losses in the July Cup and Prix Jacques le Marois.

His overall Group 1 strike-rate is not especially convincing either, winning four of twelve starts at the top level, two of them in North America.

More importantly, the current form of the Charlie Appleby yard is difficult to ignore.

At the time of writing, it is 18 days and 25 runners since Appleby last trained a winner. Even more concerning is the lack of runners from one of Britain’s most powerful operations, suggesting the stable may not be firing fully.

Stable form can turn quickly, but at 7/2 he looks short enough given the circumstances.

Opera Ballo a Fascinating Alternative

Opera Ballo is arguably the more interesting Appleby runner.

He was the stable’s most recent winner when impressively conceding weight and winning stylishly at Sandown. Race fitness was already on his side following a Group 1 success in Dubai over 9 furlongs.

A straight mile may not suit quite as well as a turning track, given he appears to have improved significantly around bends, but he remains an exciting horse. Odds of 10/1 with 1xBet Ireland are tempting, although those prices may indicate connections are considering alternative targets such as the Group 1 Prix Aga Khan IV at Longchamp.

Zeus Olympios Looks the Value Play

The horse who makes most appeal is Zeus Olympios for Karl Burke.

He finished third behind Opera Ballo at Sandown, but there were mitigating circumstances. He was conceding 3lb to runner-up Field Of Gold, while Opera Ballo had already benefited from two runs in Dubai earlier in the year.

Burke reported afterwards that Zeus Olympios was “a few kilos heavier than last year” and expected to improve significantly for the run.

That comment could prove important.

By Night Of Thunder, who himself won this race on his four-year-old debut in 2015, Zeus Olympios was unbeaten in four starts as a three-year-old.

The bare form of his novice victories was not exceptional, but his Group 3 Superior Mile Stakes success at Haydock was hugely impressive.

Backed from 14/1 into 11/4 favourite, he dismissed experienced rivals in a course-record time performance that marked him down as a serious talent.

The race has produced top-class milers before, including Triple Time, who later won the Queen Anne Stakes.

He confirmed that promise when winning the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket, defeating Opera Ballo despite having to wait for room before producing a devastating turn of foot once clear.

The only slight concern from that performance was how keenly he raced early on, but it arguably made the victory even more impressive. Crucially, he now looks poised to peak second time out. Burke recently told the Racing Post at Longchamp:

“He’s definitely stepped forward from Sandown and we knew he would. I’m glad I gave him the prep. He’s taken a step forward.”

That confidence is notable from a trainer enjoying another excellent campaign.

Zeus Olympios has the profile of a horse capable of developing into a major force over both a mile and 10 furlongs this season. At the prices, he looks the most appealing betting proposition in the race.

The Main Danger: The Lion In Winter

The biggest threat may come from The Lion In Winter for Aidan O'Brien.

Ballydoyle are in outstanding form, sweeping major races at Newmarket, Chester, Lingfield and in France during the opening weeks of the European Flat season.

The Lion In Winter finished only 3 lengths behind Damysus in last year’s Dante despite an interrupted preparation. After disappointing in the Derby, he bounced back with a strong second-half campaign.

Highlights included:

• beaten only a neck in the Prix Jean Prat

• beaten half a length in the Prix du Moulin

• beaten 1¼ lengths in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

• beaten 1¾ lengths in the Breeders’ Cup Mile

He can also be forgiven a below-par effort in Hong Kong following a busy international campaign.

Returning this season, he won a Listed race comfortably from stablemate Expanded, the Dewhurst runner-up in 2024.

Ryan Moore takes the ride and improvement is likely second time out for a stable operating at an exceptional strike-rate.

Aidan O’Brien has only won the Lockinge twice, with Hawk Wing and Rhododendron, but The Lion In Winter has the class to add another success.

The Queen Anne Stakes may ultimately suit him even better, but at around 6/1 he rates the principal danger to Zeus Olympios.

Lockinge Stakes Betting Verdict

Most Likely Winner

• Zeus Olympios.

Main Danger

• The Lion In Winter.

Best Value Angle

• Zeus Olympios at 1xBet Ireland.

This year’s Lockinge could prove one of the defining mile races of the Flat season. If Zeus Olympios delivers on the promise he showed at three, Newbury could be the moment he establishes himself as a genuine Group 1 star ahead of Royal Ascot.

Stay up to date with the key 1xBet Ireland horse racing and enjoy your favourite sport. The user-friendly platform of this licensed bookmaker, featuring helpful statistical tools, a wide range of markets, and attractive odds, will add even more excitement to the Lockinge Stakes event. 

The analytical piece was prepared by Emmet Kennedy — Presenter, Producer, and Owner of The Final Furlong Podcast, Broadcaster with TalkSPORT, and Broadcast Consultant —  with the support of 1xBet Ireland.

1XBET AND TERMINUS PLATFORM IRELAND LIMITED DO NOT SPONSOR ANY OF THE EVENTS ABOVE AND HAVE NO PARTNERSHIP WITH ASSOCIATED SPORTS LEAGUES AND/OR ASSOCIATIONS.