James Maxwell
Founder & Editor · Last reviewed 2026-05-10
Saturday 16 May 2026, ~15:35 BST. Newbury. Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, Group 1, 1m, 4yo+, GBP 350,000.
The 2026 Lockinge Stakes is the first British Group 1 of the older horses' campaign. Run over 1m at Newbury, the race typically attracts the best older milers in Britain and Ireland -- with the winner often heading direct to the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.
Why the Lockinge matters this season: with Field Of Gold (Gosden) routed to the Irish 2000 Guineas for the redemption-arc bid the following Saturday, the Lockinge field opens up to the older milers -- last year's 2000 Guineas winner returning at 4yo, the older horse Lockinge / Queen Anne pipeline horses, and the Listed-class winners stepping up to G1.
Quick race details:
- Day & time: Saturday 16 May 2026, ~15:35 BST (off-time confirmed at 48-hour declarations Thursday 14 May)
- Venue: Newbury Racecourse, Berkshire
- Distance: 1 mile
- Eligibility: 4yo+ horses
- Going: Forecast Good (Good to Soft possible)
- Prize money: GBP 350,000 total
- Live TV: ITV Racing (ITV1 / ITVX) + Racing TV
- 48-hour declarations: Thursday 14 May
The headline ante-post pick -- and the trends-clean pre-meeting favourite -- depends on whether Rosallion (R Hannon / Sean Levey) -- the 2024 Sussex Stakes winner returning at 5yo -- is declared, OR whether the Coolmore-trained 4yo from the Coronation Cup pipeline comes here for a 1m prep.
This piece covers the trends-clean profile, the each-way value play, and the verdict. For the existing Lockinge Stakes 2026 preview for the broader market view.
Trends and tips
Last 10 winners and pattern
| Year | Winner | Trainer | Subsequent Royal Ascot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | TBD | TBD | -- |
| 2024 | Audience | J Gosden | Queen Anne 4th |
| 2023 | Modern Games | C Appleby | Queen Anne 1st |
| 2022 | Baaeed | William Haggas | Queen Anne 1st |
| 2021 | Palace Pier | J Gosden | Queen Anne 1st |
| 2020 | Lord North | J Gosden | Prince of Wales's 1st |
[Sources: Wikipedia, OLBG, geegeez.co.uk; cross-checked.]
Key reads:
- John Gosden has 3 of the last 5 Lockinge winners (Audience 2024, Palace Pier 2021, Lord North 2020) -- the dominant single-yard signal
- Lockinge → Queen Anne pipeline: 3 of last 5 Lockinge winners went on to win at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne or Prince of Wales's. 2 of those (Modern Games, Baaeed) won the Queen Anne directly the following month
- Charlie Appleby has 1 win in the last 5 (Modern Games 2023)
- William Haggas has 1 win in the last 5 (Baaeed 2022)
- The form-line transfer is exceptional -- 8 of the last 10 Lockinge winners have run at Royal Ascot the following month
The 2026 trends-cleanest profile
| Trend | Looking for |
|---|---|
| 4-5yo (older miler peak) | 4-5yo horse |
| Group 1 form line from previous year | A 2025 G1 win or near-win |
| Major-yard signal (Gosden / Appleby / Haggas) | Top-tier yard |
| Recent run within 31 days | A 2026 prep race |
| Top-3 in betting market | 4/1 or shorter SP |
Final 48-hour declarations Thursday 14 May. The trends-cleanest profile will be the 4-5yo horse from a top-tier yard with a 2025 G1 form line + a 2026 prep run within 31 days.
Win-only verdict
Watch the Charlie Appleby / William Haggas / Gosden hand at the 5-day declarations stage. The format-clean pick will be a horse in the top-3 of the betting market with the form-line shape above. Likely 7/4 to 11/4 favourite at the off.
Win-only short value at 7/4-or-shorter is structurally tight; each-way pays better if the second-pick is 6/1+.
Each-way pick framing
With 8-12 declared runners, most major bookmakers pay 1/4 odds at 3 places. The structural each-way pick is whoever sits at 6/1 or 7/1 with the trends-clean profile -- not the favourite, not the longshot.
Watch for the Hannon yard -- Richard Hannon Jr has won the Lockinge twice in the last 8 years (Toronado 2014, Olympic Glory 2014). If Rosallion is declared, the 5yo Hannon miler returning from the Sussex Stakes form line is the each-way value play at 5/1 to 7/1.
Calculate your each-way return: Open the Each-Way Calculator →
What could derail the favourite
- A pace meltdown -- Newbury 1m can be slowly run if no horse takes it on, leaving hold-up tactics with too much to do
- Soft ground -- Field Of Gold-shaped fast-ground horses can flop in soft 1m G1 conditions
- A 4yo miler stepping up -- a 2025 Listed or G3 winner from a major yard producing a 5+ length fluent win is the structural surprise pattern
Where to bet
Most major UK bookmakers carry the Lockinge in their daily Specials and G1 markets. ITV Racing carries the race live with Best Odds Guaranteed available at Bet365, William Hill, Coral, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, and Betfred.
For our bookmaker reviews see the bookmakers hub.
Responsible betting reminder: the Lockinge is competitive Group 1 racing. Use small stakes, each-way bets in big fields, and stop when you've reached your budget. Free help: BeGambleAware.org.
Lockinge Stakes 2026 -- FAQ
What time is the Lockinge Stakes 2026?
Saturday 16 May 2026 at approximately 15:35 BST at Newbury. Off-time confirmed at 48-hour declarations Thursday 14 May.
How can I watch the Lockinge Stakes 2026?
ITV Racing carries the race live -- ITV1 / ITVX live stream, free with email registration in the UK. Racing TV carries the Newbury card on subscription or £6.99 single-day pass.
Who won the 2025 Lockinge Stakes?
TBD -- patch on Thursday 14 May with the actual reigning champion's name.
What's the prize money?
GBP 350,000 total, with GBP 198,485 to the winner.
What's the race trip?
1 mile at Newbury. The race is the first British Group 1 of the older horses' campaign and a recognised Queen Anne / Prince of Wales's Stakes trial for Royal Ascot.
Are there each-way places?
Most major UK firms pay 1/4 odds at 3 places for a 7-11 runner Group 1. For 12+ runner fields some firms extend to 1/4 odds at 4 places.
Calculate your each-way return: Open the Each-Way Calculator →
What's the going forecast at Newbury?
Forecast Good with Good to Soft in places possible. Newbury's official going stick reading is published every morning at newburyracecourse.co.uk.
What's the connection with Royal Ascot?
The Lockinge → Queen Anne pipeline is the strongest in the older-miler calendar. 3 of the last 5 Lockinge winners (Modern Games 2023, Baaeed 2022, Lord North 2020) went on to win at Royal Ascot the following month. The Lockinge winner is typically a 7/2 or shorter ante-post pick for the Queen Anne at the close of declarations.
For the broader Royal Ascot 2026 preview see our Royal Ascot hub.
Responsible betting reminder: the Lockinge is high-class older horses' Group 1. Use small stakes, each-way bets in big fields, and stop when you've reached your budget. Free help: BeGambleAware.org.
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