The Beginnings of the Guineas
Established by The Jockey Club, under the stewardship of Sir Charles Bunbury, the 2000 Guineas was first run in 1809, followed by the 1000 Guineas five years later in 1814. Both races were named according to their original prize funds.
By the mid 1860s, the 1000 and 2000 Guineas were regarded as two of Britain's most prestigious races. Following this a group of races called 'The Classics' formed, featuring both the 1000 and 2000 Guineas along with the Derby, the Oaks and St Leger. The 'Classics' form the bedrock of the British Flat Racing season and are the benchmark in which legends are made, comparable to 'Majors' in golf and 'Grand Slams' in tennis.
Facts and Figures
SOME FAMOUS GAMBLES
- Night Of Thunder was crowned champion of the 2000 Guineas in 2014 at 40/1, when the betting saw him as Richard Hannon’s second string.
- Back in 2013, 150/1 outsider Glory Awaits surged to an unexpected second behind Dawn Approach.
- Frankel blew his opposition away in 2011, but first of his distant pursuers was 33/1 Dubawi Gold, while 200/1 shot Slim Shadey came fourth.
- French raider Makfi landed odds of 33/1 to claim victory in 2010.
- Billesdon Brook went on to win the 2018 1000 Guineas in 2018, despite having odds of 66/1.
- Also at 66/1 was the 2000 Guineas winner Rockavon in 1961.
notable SHORT-PRICED WINNERS
- St Frusquin (1896), 12/100
- Nijinsky (1970), 4/7
- Frankel (2011), 1/2
FASTEST 2000 guineas
- Kameko (2020) 1m 34.72s
- Mister Baileys (1994) 1m 35.08s
- Pennekamp (1995) 1m 35.16s
- Cockney Rebel (2007) 1m 35.28s
- Zafonic (1993) 1m 35.32s
- Entrepreneur (1997) 1m 35.64s
SLOWEST 2000 Guineas
- Pilgrimage (1878) 1m 56s
- Bona Vista (1892) 1m 54s
- Shotover (1882) 1m 53.4s
- Ayrshire (1888) 1m 52.2s
- Petronel (1880) 1m 52s
Fastest 1000 guineas
- Ghanaati (2009) 1m 34.22s
- Legatissimo (2015) 1m 34.6s
- Finsceal Beo (2007) 1m 34.94s
- Winter (2017) 1m 35.66s
- Sky Lantern (2013) & Lahan (2000) 1m 36.38s
slowest time 1000 guineas
- Pilgrimage (1878) 2m
- Elizabeth (1880) 1m 56s
- St Marguerite (1882) 1m 55.4s
- Wheel Of Fortune (1879) 1m 54s
- Imperieuse (1857), Tomato (1864) & Siffleuse (1893) 1m 53s
TOP TRAINER 2000 Guineas
Aidan O'Brien
King Of Kings (1998), Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), Footstepsinthesand (2005), George Washington (2006), Henrythenavigator (2008), Camelot (2012), Gleneagles (2015), Churchill (2017), Saxon Warrior (2018), Magna Grecia (2019).
TOP TRAINER 1000 Guineas
Robert Robson
Corinne (1818), Catgut (1819), Rowena (1820), Zeal (1821), Whizgig (1822), Zinc (1823), Tontine (1825), Problem (1826), Arab (1827).
TOP Jockey 2000 guineas
Jem Robinson
Enamel (1825), Cadland (1828), Riddlesworth (1831), Clearwell (1833), Glencoe (1834), Ibrahim (1835), Bay Middleton (1836), Conyngham (1847), Flatcatcher (1848).
top jockey 1000 guineas
George Fordham
Mayonaise (1859), Nemesis (1861), Siberia (1865), Formosa (1868), Scottish Queen (1869), Thebais (1881), Hauteur (1883).
