Rhododendron outruns the boys in Lockinge Stakes

Rhododendron, second in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar last November, beat males for the first time in her career in Saturday’s Grade 1 Lockinge Stakes at a mile at Newbury Racecourse in England.

Ridden by Ryan Moore for trainer Aidan O’Brien, Rhododendron (the 10-3 favorite) was always near the front on a straightaway course and was fully extended to edge 16-1 Lightning Spear, who led in the final furlong under jockey Oisin Murphy.

The O’Brien-trained Lancaster Bomber, second in the BC Mile at Del Mar last November, finished third in the field of 14, beaten 2 3/4 lengths.

There were four horses in the field who started in Breeders’ Cup races last fall. Suedois, who won the Grade 1 Shadwell Mile at Keeneland last October and was fourth in the BC Mile, finished seventh. War Decree, who was ninth in the BC Classic, finished last at 40-1.

O’Brien had four starters, including Deauville, who won the Grade 1 Belmont Derby in 2016. Deauville set the pace in the Lockinge, closely followed by Lancaster Bomber, until Lightning Spear and then Rhododendron reached the front.

“I thought I was getting there, but I wasn’t really sure,” Moore said. “It was hard because I was dead in the middle (of the track) and Oisin’s horse was (on the rail). It’s hard to know, really.”

A 4-year-old filly by Galileo, Rhododendron races for Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith. The Lockinge Stakes was her second start against males. She was fourth in the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchap in Paris on April 29.

Rhododendron has won 5 of 13 starts, including three Group 1 races: the Fillies’ Mile for 2-year-olds at Newmarket in 2016, and the Group 1 Prix de l’Opera for fillies and mares at Chantilly last October.

Last June, Rhododendron was pulled up in the French Oaks after a bad case of bleeding.

“I am grateful to the lads to leave her in training,” O’Brien said in reference to his clients. “She bled very badly in the French Oaks last season, one of the worst cases I have seen.”

O’Brien said Rhododendron will be considered for Group 1 races at Royal Ascot next month, possibly the Queen Anne Stakes at a mile on June 19 or the Prince of Wales Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on June 20.