With the jump season coming to an end, and the excitement of both Cheltenham and the Grand national merely a distant memory – as well as Paul Nicholls being named Champion Trainer for the 13th time – attentions now turn to the flat season.
The five British Classics are firmly on the horizon, with the Newmarket Guineas Festival kicking things off later this week. While punters are perusing the horse racing betting exchange to find their favourites ahead of the three-day meeting, let’s take a look back at the most recent winners of the 1000 Guineas.
2021: Mother Earth
Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori landed his 20th winner in the British classics, handing trainer Aidan O’Brien a seventh victory in the Group 1 race. The filly had been second-fiddle to stablemate and joint-favourite Santa Barbara in the lead-up to the race, and Mother Earth was sent out at odds of 10/1.
While Dettori had held her up in midfield, he found the right time to make his move and Mother Earth took the lead and maintained the gallop to win by a length from Saffron Beach.
The jockey celebrated the win as if it was his first – explaining after the race:
“I didn’t have the pressure of riding the favourite and I had a very willing partner with a filly that I knew was going to give me everything.”
2020: Love
Despite the Guineas Festival taking place a month later than originally planned and travel restrictions forcing Irish connections to stay at home, amidst the pandemic, nothing could dampen the mood of O’Brien as Love conquered all – winning the 2020 edition of the 1000 Guineas.
The filly who had previously finished third on her final start of the previous season to Quadrilateral, pulled clear of her rivals, after bursting down the centre of the final straight. Jockey Ryan Moore won his 12th British Classic, and spoke highly of his mount after the race:
“She’s a very uncomplicated filly and we’ve always thought a lot of her. She was in control of the race from a long way out.”
2019: Hermosa
Jockey Wayne Lordan added to his success of two years ago, this time landing the 1000 Guineas aboard Hermosa, who was sent off at odds of 14/1. It marked a fifth win for O’Brien.
Despite maintaining the lead from over two furlongs out, the filly looked as though she was under pressure from Lady Kaya, who was on the bridle, and Angel’s Hideaway was also travelling strongly. However, she managed to pull away, to win by a length.
2018: Billesdon Brook
There was an unlikely winner in 2018 – when 66/1 rank-outsider Billesdon Brook landed jockey Sean Levey the biggest win of his career. It also marked a second Classic winner trained by Richard Hannon – usurping O’Brien of a third successive win (Happily could only finish third).
The biggest-priced winner in 1000 Guineas history came home one-and-three-quarter lengths clear of the 14 rival fillies, after gaining the lead in the final furlong.
2017: Winter
It was an O’Brien 1-2 in 2017, as Winter finished a couple of lengths clear of stablemate Rhododendron. The latter may have been the pre-race favourite, but Lordan rode a good race – holding up well in midfield before pushing to lead when two furlongs out to stay on strongly. While Rhododendron stayed on strongly, she was forced to go left and by the time she recovered, Winter was five lengths clear. Despite closing the gap, Winter won by two lengths.
