Godolphin pair in Lockinge picture
Bin Surour-trained Farhh and Sajjhaa entered for prestigious Newbury mile
Dubai: Godolphin’s Farhh and Sajjhaa, both trained by Saeed Bin Surour, remain on course for a shot at the Group 1 JLT Lockinge Stakes, one of the most eagerly anticipated flat races of the month.
Run over a mile at Newbury on May 18, the race is often considered to be a trial for the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot (June 18).
Godolphin have previously won the Lockinge on four occasions, with Creachadoir (2008), Aljabr (2000), Fly to the Stars (1999) and Cape Cross (1998).
Last year the race was won by Sir Henry Cecil’s superstar, Frankel, who went on to annihilate his rivals by 11 lengths in the Queen Anne.
Godolphin’s Cape Cross also completed the double, but not in the same calendar year — his success in the Royal Ascot showpiece coming a year after he won the Lockinge.
Sajjhaa is set to head to Newbury following a luckless performance in Hong Kong, where she missed the break and had to settle for fourth place in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (G1). Previously, the daughter of King’s Best strung together four wins at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, which included an impressive victory in the $5 million (Dh18.3 million) Dubai Duty Free (G1) at Meydan on March 31.
Farhh makes his seasonal debut following a narrow defeat he suffered in the Group 1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp, France, last September. However, the son of Pivotal is perhaps best remembered for chasing Frankel home in the Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood and the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York last season.
Other notable entries include Aidan O’Brien’s dual Derby winner Camelot, who has his first start since running eighth to Solemia in the Arc de Triomphe (Group 1) at the end of last season, and Roger Charlton’s globetrotting star, Cityscape.
John Gosden’s ultra-consistent Elusive Kate, the Richard Hannon-trained Trumpet Major, the winner of last year’s Craven Stakes (G1) and stable companion Libranno are also likely runners.
