The 1000 Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old fillies. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 meters). It’s scheduled to take place every year in late April or early May, on the Sunday following the 2000 Guineas Stakes.
This stake is the second of Britain’s five Classic races, and the first of two restricted to fillies. Also, serve as the opening leg of the Fillies’ Triple Crown, followed by the Oaks and the St Leger; but the feat of winning all three is rarely attempted.
Mother Earth takes 2021 edition
There was little surprise Aidan O’Brien was on the mark again in the One Thousand Guineas (G1), but it was the experience of Mother Earth under 50-year-old Frankie Dettori rather than the potential superstar and favorite, Santa Barbara that provided the trainer his seventh win in the classic.
A field of 11 went post ward in the 1000 Guineas, the smallest line-up since 1990; but few have been more eagerly anticipated thanks to the hyperbole surrounding Santa Barbara. Sent off at 10-1, Mother Earth was given a vintage ride from Dettori, who was registering his fourth win in the race.
The 50-year-old had her in mid-pack, behind Ryan Moore on Santa Barbara in the early stages; as Statement and Fev Rover led the race. When Dettori asked Mother Earth to make his move, the daughter of Zoffany responded with a quick move that took her into the lead.
They maintained the gallop and went on to score by a length from Saffron Beach; with Fev Rover a neck away in third and 5/2 favorite Santa Barbara just a nose further back in fourth. Alcohol Free, also at 5/2, was just behind Santa Barbara in fifth. O’Brien said: “Mother Earth is a very good filly, always was.”
History of the 1000 Guineas
The 1000 Guineas first run was on 28 April 1814, five years after the inaugural running of the 2000 guineas; the equivalent race for both colts and fillies.
The two races were established by the Jockey Club, under the direction of Sir Charles Bunbury, who had earlier co-founded the Derby. They were named according to their original prize funds (a guinea amounted to 21 shillings, or £1.05).
By the mid-1860s, the 1000 Guineas had become one of Britain’s most prestigious races for three-year-olds. The five leading events for this age group, characterized by increasing distances as the season progressed, were now referred to as “Classics”. The concept was later adopted in many other countries.
European variations of this stake include the German 1,000 Guineas, the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and the Premio Regina Elena. Other countries to have adopted the format include Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
The 1000 Guineas is served by trial races such as the Nell Gwyn Stakes and the Fred Darling Stakes, but for some horses it’s the first race of the season. The 1000 Guineas itself can act as a trial for the Oaks; and the last horse to win both was Love in 2020.
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