Glittering cast lined up for the curtain-raiser to Royal Ascot

The initial entries for the Goffs London Sale, which takes place in assocation with Qipco on the eve of Royal Ascot, were revealed on Wednesday, with the lots offered with Royal Ascot engagements headed by St James's Palace Stakes contender Lockheed.

Nineteen lots are confirmed for the sale, held at The Orangery at Kensington Palace on June 19, including 17 horses with entries at the royal meeting and two high-class breeding prospects.

The catalogue already boasts an eclectic list of vendors, including the likes of Cheveley Park Stud, Chelsea Thoroughbreds and YuLong Investments, while further supplementary entries are likely to be announced before the date of the sale.

A three-year-old son of Exceed And Excel owned by the China Horse Club, Lockheed finished third in the Group 1 National Stakes as a juvenile and was runner-up in the German 2,000 Guineas on his most recent start last month.

It had already been revealed that one of the likely stars of the show Millevini, a Hawk Wing half-sister to St Leger and Racing Post Trophy winner Kingston Hill, was to be offered in foal to Kingman and with her Frankel filly foal at foot.

Since its inception in 2014, when Capella Sansevero topped the auction when selling to David Redvers for £1.3 million, the London Sale has created a unique buzz, and is now widely viewed as the unofficial curtain-raiser to Royal Ascot.

Last year Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Jet Setting stole the headlines when she was bought by the China Horse Club for £1.3m.

Goffs chief executive Henry Beeby said: "Goffs London Sale in association with Qipco has enjoyed phenomenal success since its inception in 2014 and this year's renewal looks set to continue in the same vein with some superb entries in both the horses in training and breeding stock categories.

"The ability to purchase a horse on the eve of Royal Ascot and see it run in your colours during the most prestigious week in international Flat racing has really caught the imagination of buyers from around the world and we are delighted that the sale has been so well supported with quality horses again this year, whilst the breeding stock entries add a new dimension to the this unique sale."

Goffs London Sale entries:

Absolute Blast
Listed winner and second in the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes
Royal Ascot entry: Duke of Cambridge Stakes

Aim To Please
Won Group 3 Prix Bertrand de Tarragon and third in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes
Royal Ascot Entry: Duke of Cambridge Stakes (G2)

Black Orange
Maiden winner and runner-up in the Lily Agnes Stakes
Royal Ascot entry: Norfolk Stakes and Windsor Castle Stakes

Indian Dandy
Highly progressive performer over a mile.
Royal Ascot Entry: Britannia Handicap

Legendary Lunch
Won the Listed Woodcote Stakes and runner up in the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes
Royal Ascot entry: Commonwealth Cup

Lockheed
Group 1 performer and Classic-placed in the German 2,000 Guineas.
Royal Ascot entry: St James’s Palace Stakes

Max Zorin
Progressive middle-distance prospect, third in Listed Dee Stakes
Royal Ascot entry: Britannia Handicap or Hampton Court Stakes

Mr Scarlet
Third to Caravaggio in the Group 3 Lacken Stakes
Royal Ascot entry: Commonwealth Cup

Never Surrender
Well-related winner of a Chester maiden over 1m 2½f
Royal Ascot entry: Hampton Court Stakes and King George V Stakes

Night Of Glory
Impressive winner of a Curragh maiden on most recent start
Royal Ascot entry: King Edward VII Stakes and Queens Vase

Ornate
Group 2-placed sprinter
Royal Ascot entry: King's Stand Stakes

Rioticism
Two-time winning French juvenile
Royal Ascot entry: Queen Mary Stakes

Straight Right
Listed winner and Group 3-placed in 2017
Royal Ascot entry: Commonwealth Cup

Tisbutadream
Four-time winner and third in the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
Half-sister to Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Persuasive
Royal Ascot entry: Sandringham Stakes

Twin Star
Winner of Navan maiden and fourth in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes
Royal Ascot entry: Hampton Court Stakes and King George V Stakes

Whitefountainfairy
Eye-catching winner of a Fairyhouse maiden on her second start
Royal Ascot entry: Albany Stakes

Yolo Star
Comfortable winner of a Cork maiden
Royal Ascot entry: Queen Mary Stakes

Breeding stock:

Millevini
Half-sister to St Leger and Racing Post Trophy winner Kingston Hill.
Sold in foal to Kingman with a Frankel filly foal at foot.

Baldovina
Half-sister to 2016 Japanese Classic winner Jeweller and dam of Queen Mary Stakes winner Ceiling Kitty. Sold in foal to Le Havre with a Muhaarar filly foal at foot.