The second Classics of the year: 1000 Guineas. The Rowley Mile comes alive. Three-year-old fillies at the ready. History dating back to 1814. Charlotte won for trainer Tom Perren.
Did you know the 1000 Guineas is part of the Triple Crown? However, we have to go back to 1985 and Oh So Sharp and other horses, trained by Henry Cecil, to revel in such a glorious achievement.
Aidan O'Brien made this race his own. No stranger to success, he sent out Minding to win in 2016, while Winter finished strongly to deprive Rhododendron in 2017, who many punters classed a hotpot.
3:35 Newmarket 1000 Guineas (6th May, 2018)
Who will prove victorious.
There are 64 entrants at the time of writing. How many for Aidan O'Brien? Quite astounding – 16 fillies! Obviously, this will be reduced come the big day. Most punters will be hoping one horse remains.
The perils of ante-post betting.
So which horse are we looking at here? Clemmie. She is fancied to start favourite at 3/1 with bookmakers, feel free to check that and other offers on BettingTop10. A daughter of Galileo. He needs no introduction as a super sire. In fact, he is such a sought after stallion that you get a price on application. I'm not lying. Phone up and ask if you don't believe me.
No wonder Frankel's fee when up this year!
How many times did Clemmie race at two?
The quick answer: 5.
The partnership of Ryan Moore and Clemmie didn't get off to the best start when placed third at the Curragh, Ireland.
Second start: Royal Ascot. The Albany Stakes (Group 3). Where did she finish? A disappointing 7th. The good news!!! Beaten less than five lengths. It gave a glimmer of hope.
Who owns Clemmie?
No surprise, hey. Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier. Clemmie returned to the Curragh to taste victory. Decisive, scoring at 6/4f.
She loves Newmarket. How come? Two absolutely stunning victories to propel her to a Classic favourite. Taking the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) (formerly the Cherry Hinton).
Mark Johnston's Nyaleti couldn't hold this filly from powering ahead. But, pardon the pun, this wasn't the cherry on the cake. It was the Juddmonte Cheveley park Stakes (Group 1). Starting at 15/8f, bookmakers were running scared. Still! In the closing stages - in familiar fashion – shot clear to win by one-and-three-quarter lengths.
Did you know the Cheveley Park Stakes is often a pointer to winner the 1000 Guineas?
You have to go back to 1903 – 04 to find the first to do the double. It was Pretty Polly. A superstar who won fifteen consecutive races and one of five horses to win the Triple Crown.
The most recent? Special Duty in 2009-10.
Will Clemmie be the next?
The combination of Clemmie, Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore is enough to make punters put their hand in their pocket to place a bet.
A Brief History of the 1000 Guineas Key points:
- Inaugurated by 1814
- Founded by Sir Charles Bunbury
- Takes place at the Rowley Mile, Newmarket
- The first part of the Triple Crown (1000 Guineas, St Leger & Oaks)
- Last filly to achieve the Triple Crown: Oh So Sharp 1985, trained by Henry Cecil
- Leading jockey: 7 wins – George Fordham
- Leading trainer: Robert Robson
- Easiest winner: Mayonaise 20 lengths
- Shortest odds: Crucifix (1840) 1/10f
- What happened in 1825? A walk over for Tontine.
