Lead Artist Rallies to Deny Dancing Gemini in Lockinge Stakes

The son of Dubawi had been headed by his rival, but displayed both class and grit to emerge as the standout performer on Saturday at Newbury

Lead Artist (left) showed true tenacity to fight back and prevail / NEWBURY

NEWBURY, Inglaterra (Special for Turf Diario).- Everything Lead Artist had promised throughout the 2024 season was handsomely rewarded Saturday at Newbury, as Juddmonte's impeccably-bred homebred captured the G1 BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes over good-to-firm ground.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden and given a superb ride by Oisin Murphy, the son of Dubawi summoned both class and determination to come out on top in a thrilling stretch duel, edging Dancing Gemini (Camelot) by a neck. Returning to action with plenty of promise, Rosallion (Blue Point) was third, 2 1/4 lengths behind and a half-neck clear of Notable Speech (Dubawi).

Winner of the G3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood and the G3 Darley Stakes at Newmarket last year, Lead Artist had disappointed in his seasonal return when finishing last of eight in the G2 bet365 Mile at Sandown, 12 3/4 lengths behind none other than Dancing Gemini, who looked set to confirm his superiority.

“The ground at Sandown was very testing, and although he’d been working well at home, he just had nothing left in the tank,” said a delighted John Gosden, who was celebrating his third Lockinge win. “Kieran [Shoemark] looked after him that day. It really brought him forward, and today Oisin gave him a brilliant ride.”

Positioned third early as Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot) set the pace, Lead Artist made a decisive move when asked and took command in the straight. But just as quickly, Dancing Gemini loomed up on his outside, got past him by a neck, and appeared to have the race in hand.

Still, Murphy was not done. Urging Lead Artist on, the colt responded gamely and clawed his way back to the front in the shadow of the post for a memorable victory.

Behind them, both Rosallion and Notable Speech lacked a finishing punch, perhaps needing the race after their respective layoffs.

Looking ahead to Royal Ascot and the G1 Queen Anne Stakes, Gosden added: “He clearly enjoys the fast summer ground. He’s a powerful horse with plenty of speed. Today he was in the right position to make the first move, which forced the others to come after him—and he still had the class to fend them off. We’d rather not see a rainy Ascot, but if the ground is good, that’s the plan.”