Godolphin exes to team up in the 2025 Spring Stakes

Zac Lloyd and Nacim Dilmi forged a bond during their time at Godolphin, and that friendship continues to produce milestone moments. Earlier this season, Lloyd rode Dilmi’s first ever winner as a trainer, and at Newcastle on Saturday he aims to deliver him a maiden stakes victory with promising gelding Probability Theory in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m).

Dilmi stepped into the role as Domeland’s private conditioner this year, taking over from Sara Ryan after several seasons learning under James Cummings. Lloyd, who completed the final stages of his apprenticeship at the global stable, has remained a close confidant.

“I’m excited to team up with him in a feature race,” Lloyd said.

“He’s a good friend of mine and he has improved this horse quite quickly. It has strung together two nice wins.

“I rode his first winner which was quite exciting so I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do on Saturday.”

Probability Theory has posted back-to-back 1300m victories at Hawkesbury and now steps to the mile in his steepest test yet. The rise from Midway Benchmark 64 grade is sharp, but Lloyd believes many runners in the field share a similar profile.

“He is stepping up drastically in grade but in saying that, the majority of the field are beside Grand Prairie,” Lloyd said.

“The horse will acquit himself well.”

Lloyd’s feature rides don’t end there — he also partners Yorkshire, the early favourite for the $1 million The Hunter (1300m). The emerging sprinter begins a campaign targeted toward December’s The Ingham (1600m).

“That is his target race, but when a horse doesn’t really know how to lose like he does, he’s definitely in with a good chance,” Lloyd said.

Yorkshire has been expertly handled by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, winning six of his eight starts, and O’Shea won The Hunter three years ago with Lost And Running.

For betting on The Hunter or Spring Stakes, compare all bookmakers at JHR’s bookmaker guide.