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Newmarket Racecourse hosts the curtain raiser to the flat season with the 2,000 Guineas and the 1,000 Guineas kicking off proceedings in the first week of May. The 2,000 Guineas has been held at the event since 1809, highlighting the history and prestige of the occasion. Newmarket has provided the perfect venue and has played host as the racing world has changed over the 209-year history of the Guineas. The 1,000 Guineas was brought into the fold five years later than its predecessor as the Jockey Club pressed the need for a race solely for fillies. The two races have become an essential part of the racing calendar, making up two of the five classics in the flat campaign.
Jem Robinson has a place in history as the jockey with the most wins at the 2,000 Guineas. Those eight victories all came in the 19th century. His first triumph came in 1825 on the back of Enamel, while his last arrived in 1848 on Flatcatcher, highlighting his greatness over two decades. In modern times, trainer Aidan O’Brien has etched his place into the grandeur of the event, breaking the record for most wins after notching his eighth triumph last season when Churchill romped home to victory. He has stretched his dominance across to the 1,000 Guineas, producing the last two winners at Newmarket, with Minding and Winter taking home the crown.
As a result, O’Brien’s yard is the port of call for all bets at the event. The Irishman has a strong host of horses ready for the contests this term. The two leading contenders for the 2,000 Guineas are Gustav Klimt and Saxon Warrior, with both horses being under the charge of O’Brien. Gustav Klimt put forward a dominant performance in Guineas Trial Stakes. As a result, his betting odds for the event have shortened below that of his stablemate Saxon Warrior.
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It has been a while since the bay colt has been in action and that could be worth bearing in mind given his value for the event. O’Brien has won three out of the last four races, although his dominance could be ended by John Gosden. The two trainers are at the top of the sport and Gosden’s Roaring Lion could be one to monitor given that he has better value than his rivals, which many are considering with one of the free bet offers from Coral, who are offering a £30 free bet after punting £10. At odds of 6/1 on Gosden’s charge, it could be a worthwhile venture.
However, O’Brien has dominated the event for a reason and his place as one of the greatest trainers in flat version of the sport has been cemented. At the age of 48, the Irishman has a long way to go in his career at the highest level and could be on course to break 20 wins, currently sitting at eight winners. Robinson’s achievement seems greater given his exploits on the course, but if O’Brien continues to triumph with regularity, he will be the face of Newmarket Racecourse and the Guineas.
It will be a challenge, as there are a number of quality competitors that will be vying for the crown, such is the sport. However, the Irishman always seems to have a production line of outstanding horses to put forward for the event and this year appears to be no different.
