Godolphin swoop for Lockinge contenders

Night Of Thunder and James Doyle were all smiles after giving Godolphin their sixth success in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes last year. Sourced from Racingfotos.com

Dutch Connection and Home Of The Brave, who could make an impact in the QIPCO British Champions Series this weekend, have been purchased by Godolphin.

The classy pair are among 18 horses left in the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday after today’s confirmation stage.

They will remain with their respective trainers, Charlie Hills and Hugo Palmer, and are described as both being on target for the £350,000 feature – a race Godolphin have won six times.

It is the fourth race, of 35, in the British Champions Series and the second contest in the Mile category.

“Both Dutch Connection and Home Of The Brave are excellent horses, who will give us more depth in the ranks in our attempt to win the top one-mile and seven-furlong races in the calendar this year,” John Ferguson, Godolphin’s racing manager and chief executive, said: “They present us with plenty of interesting options.

“More importantly, though, they give us the chance to be competitive in the top international races later in the year, not only in Europe, but America, Asia and Australia, as well.

“The ‘miler’ division produces some outstanding stallion material, but for the time being, we are focussed on their racing careers and what they can achieve for Godolphin on the racecourse in 2016.”

Home Of The Brave was the impressive winner of a 7f Listed race at Leicester on his return, while Dutch Masterpiece was touched off by the Godolphin-owned Toormore in the Group 2 Bet365 Mile at Sandown on his comeback.

Toormore also remains in the reckoning for the Lockinge. The Henry Candy-trained Limato is generally the 7-2 ante-post favourite.