2000 Guineas

The 2000 Guineas meeting at Newmarket - the home of flat racing, for many signifies the beginning of the turf season and the official end of the jumps season.

The switch between divisions starts with the Guineas meeting - the opening Classic of the season for the colts, trialling three-year-old's over the straight mile on Newmarket's bumpy Rowley Mile course.

It is the opening Group One of the flat season on any account, and acts as the opening leg of the Triple Crown for the colts, which is followed by the Epsom Derby and the St Leger at Doncaster.

The champion and standout two-year-old's of the previous year usually come together here first – with some arriving off the back of a trial victory in perhaps the Craven or the Greenham, or in fact any other seven-eight furlong novice event.

The Guineas has been collected by some equine kings in previous years which we will touch on below, and sets the bar ahead of a busy summer of racing.

The 2,000 Guineas is typically a year in the making - with many two-year-old's staking their claims in their two-year-old days for the opening Group One Classic the following term.

Any individual who wins over a distance around a mile in a decent maiden/novice/conditions race etc, usually throws their name into the ring for the famed contest held in early May or sometimes late April.

All over the winter, we keep a hawk’s eye on the all-weather proceedings as the jumps toll take centre stage. All roads lead to the Guineas to kick off the flat season - which can be viewed like the final for the two-year-olds of the previous year (now three-year-olds), before they going in varying directions in terms of distance and trip.

Here at The Winners Enclosure, we study all runners and look to sketch them all up in our race guides and previews, which can be found in the lead up to any high-profile meeting.

Our tips and selections are all researched and backed up by our experienced team of betting tipsters for any fixture big or small, and for the Guineas, our predictions and recommended bets can be found here closer to the time, or on our main daily horse racing tips page.

Fingers crossed, we can find the eventual winner for you!

The 2,000 Guineas is a fantastic betting opportunity for all those heading to the Newmarket meeting or watching the races at home and fancy a little flutter in the race itself.

The inaugural Classic of the season attracts multiple big names from not just in the British and Irish Isles, but also from some of the leading stables throughout the world.

There is the freedom to not only find the winner of the race, but also to whom fills the places. Back in the 1820's and 1830's, it was not a surprise to see two or three runner fields, but that simply is just not the case today.

Even with eight participants, punters have a chance to bet on horses that finish in the top three, and with a field of sixteen or more, it opens the door to an extra fourth place and more.

Many bookmakers may have unique extra offers for new or existing customers so keep an eye on those – check out our social media tags and handles, as we do promote them through our different platforms.

Some more skilled punters may have ante-post bets on, which is a decisive way to get better value (and potential profit) in the build-up to the meeting.

For those regular spectators turning up on the Saturday, there is the opportunity to walk around and shop for the best price in the betting ring, which is usually busy.

Those gambling away from the course have the chance to bet online or in shop – regardless who you are, good luck with your bets and remember to always gamble responsibly.

The Newmarket colt-based feature is one of the focal points of the season, as it usually yields us with horses to follow on their varying campaigns over differing trips - if we did not know who they were already from juvenile days.

This contest has been the starting point for many future stars of the game, none more so than the great Frankel who went to Suffolk for the second time on a five-race unbeaten run, after victory in the Greenham on his first start as a three-year-old.

Frankel went onto establish himself as one of the greatest horses of all time, as he bashed up everyone over the retained mile distance. He ended his career the undisputed champion of the world when succeeding first-time over ten furlongs in the Champion Stakes, retiring with a crown on his head for the late great Sir Henry Cecil.

Read more: See the current foals of the great Frankel

As touched upon, the 2,000 Guineas is the opening leg of the Triple Crown for the colts, and Camelot was the last horse who went for the prized accomplishment let-alone managed to complete it.

Many three-year-old's make good use of their weight allowances against the older horses in some of Europe's biggest race including the Arc in France, and prefer to sidestep away from finishing their development in their respective Classic campaign, having matured earlier than others perhaps.

Some trainers may even believe their horses are the finished article, and need to go and challenge themselves again more experienced individuals to complete their scope.

Camelot trained by Aidan O'Brien proved his versatility by winning this back in 2012, before victory in the Epsom Derby later in June. He stepped up to 1m6f for the St Leger at Doncaster, for which he was sent off the 2/5f but could not reel in the Godolphin trained Encke.

In 2018, Saxon Warrior followed up his victory in the now-named Vertem Futurity Stakes at Doncaster, and went onto have many memorable clashes with John Gosden's Roaring Lion over a further distance.

If not continuing to race over a mile, many see the 2,000 Guineas as a real stepping stone for a horse's future career.

Of course the 2,000 Guineas is not just one race on the day - there are six others to get stuck into including the Group Two Dunanden Jockey Club Stakes over 1m4f and the Group Three Palace House Stakes over five furlongs.

Won last year by the Roger Varian-trained Defoe, the leading contenders from the Jockey Club Stakes often go on to compete in the Coronation Cup at Epsom at the Derby meeting. The last to win both races in the same year was Shirocco in 2006.

The Palace House Stakes also gives you plenty of names to keep an eye on in the sprinting category for three-year-olds and upward.

Last year, the race was won by Mabs Cross twelve months ago - who went onto win the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp at the Arc meeting, beating Judicial (subsequent Group Three Coral Charge winner) and Alpha Delphini (subsequent Group One Nunthorpe victor). Need I say more?

The Listed Havana Gold Newmarket Stakes is the day's other Class One feature over ten furlongs, with three handicaps completing the 2,000 Guineas Card.

The 2,000 Guineas meeting uses Newmarket's Rowley Mile course and not the July Course, which is kept fresh until the summer.

If travelling by car, the address for the Rowley Mile is as follows:

Rowley Mile Racecourse - Cambridge Road, Newmarket, CB8 0TF

Newmarket Railway Station is just a few miles away from Newmarket Racecourses, with a free shuttle bus service in operation to transfer racegoers to and from the venue.

Cambridge Railway Station is also located 14 miles away, with positive connections to London.