Newmarket 1000 Guineas 2024

Run one day after the colts’ equivalent on the first Sunday in May on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, the 1000 Guineas is the first fillies’ classic of the season, one month before the Oaks.

The race name is derived from the original prize fund for the event, half of the colts’ race, though now the prize money for both classics is even.

Run over a straight mile and containing the best early-season three-year-old fillies around, the 1000 Guineas carries Group One status and forms a major part of the Pattern in Britain, winners of the race going on to be very valuable as broodmares when the breeding season starts.

Important trials for the 1000 Guineas include the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury, the Nell Gwyn at Newmarket and the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown in April although early favourites for the race are decided the previous year after top juvenile races such as the Fillies’ Mile are run.

Previous winners of this race include wonder fillies Pretty Polly, Rockfel, Pebbles, Oh So Sharp, Bosra Sham and the all-conquering Attraction of Mark Johnston’s yard.