Minding heads star cast of 28 entered in Lockinge

Ryan Moore and Minding have proved a formidable combination. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Minding heads 28 entries revealed today for the £350,000 Group One Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 20.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly already has four QIPCO British Champions Series wins on her CV but remains five short of the record nine that Frankel achieved in the Series in 2011 and 2012.

Minding was crowned Europe’s champion three-year-old filly of 2016, and Horse of the Year at the Cartier Racing Awards.

The daughter of Galileo won the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Investec Oaks, Qatar Nassau Stakes and, on her final start of the year, the QIPCO-sponsored Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

She had Ribchester (Richard Fahey), Lightning Spear (David Simcock) and Galileo Gold (Hugo Palmer) behind at Ascot and that trio also feature among the Lockinge entries.

Cheveley Park Stud, seeking a sixth win in the race, have two promising contenders in Zonderland (Clive Cox) and Persuasive (John Gosden).

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, said: “Zonderland looks fine. He has wintered well and we are very happy with him.

“I think he will probably go for a Listed race before we consider the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. He ran so well in the Celebration Mile last year that we felt he warranted an entry.

“Similarly, Persuasive looks fantastic and has strengthened well. John Gosden is very happy with her. Both look very nice prospects going forward.The race has been very lucky for us.”

O’Brien has seven of the nine Irish-trained entries, the most of any handler. O’Brien’s septet also features Alice Springs, Cougar Mountain and twice-raced four-year-old De Coronado, who is a brother of the great Zenyatta.