Modern Games dodges bite with late charge to land Lockinge Stakes

Modern Games produced his trademark finishing kick to secure a first Group One victory on British soil in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old is no stranger to success at the top table, having won three times at the highest level in North America and once in France. Modern Games is a dual Breeders’ Cup winner having won the Juvenile Turf in 2021 and the Mile last year – and while he had to make do with the runner-up spot on his return to Keeneland for his seasonal reappearance last month, he showed his class back in the UK.

The 3-1 favourite was given plenty of time to find his feet by William Buick and was still a long way back as the admirable Chindit moved to the front and threatened to cause an upset a furlong out. But once given his head, Modern Games engaged overdrive to readily reel in those in front of him and he was ultimately good value for the winning margin of a length and a half.

Chindit stuck to his guns to fill the runner-up spot, despite making a grab at Modern Games as he passed by, with Berkshire Shadow third, My Prospero fourth and Mutasaabeq fading into fifth after cutting out much of the running.

Buick told ITV Racing: “It was a real tussle, I definitely noticed [Chindit’s attempted bite]! This horse is a real superstar, he’s so consistent and he’s just a joy to have anything to do with. He’s there when you need him, he’s done it now in England, France, America a couple of times and on different grounds. He’s a top-class miler.”

Stratford-on-Avon: 2.05 Global Famenglory, 2.35 Heneryetta Bay, 3.05 Gold In Doha, 3.35 Blue Ribbon, 4.05 Treefinch, 4.35 Sheldon, 5.05 Parade Away.

Ripon: 2.25 Foreseeable Future, 2.55 Valadero, 3.25 Market Value, 3.55 In The Trenches,