Palace Pier lands Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes in style at Newbury

Palace Pier exceeded expectation by landing the Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes in sensational style at Newbury.

The top-class miler, ridden by Frankie Dettori, pulled clear of Lady Bowthorpe in second to record a seventh win from eight career appearances.

Trained by the duo of John and Thady Gosden, the four-year-old finished one-and-a-half lengths clear of Lady Bowthorpe, while Top Rank finished third.

Speaking after the race, Gosden said: “He is a lovely horse, he relaxed well in the race even though he got a little bit squeezed leaving the gate.

“He has come through nicely and he [Frankie] said it was won two out and I also thought the filly [Lady Bowthorpe] ran a great race to be second.”

Gosden also discussed the next potential route for his top miler, with the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 15 the most likely of destinations.

“He relaxes so well and I think it’s pretty obvious that we’ll go to the Queen Anne and then we’ll decide after that if we want to change the trip.”

Meanwhile, Dettori was full of praise for Palace Pier after the dominant Lockinge victory and explained how big of a future the horse has.

“He is very good, he has only run eight times and although he doesn’t show a lot in the mornings, he has everything.

“He is a wonderful athlete; he has a great temperament and he has everything that you want and it can only get better so I am very excited.

“He is a serious horse and I said to John that he is so blessed to have a horse like him in the yard.”

“He is a great horse to be around and he loves his racing and is one of the best milers I have ever ridden.”