THE QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS…LOOKING BACK

10 YEARS AGO (2013)

The famous royal blue silks of silks of Godolphin are carried to victory by Dawn Approach (pictured), trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger and ridden by Kevin Manning. Dawn Approach has gone on to sire a QIPCO 2000 Guineas in Poetic Flare (2021), who was also trained by Bolger and ridden by Manning.

20 YEARS AGO (2003)

It’s an Irish success as Refuse To Bend sees off 19 rivals for trainer Dermot Weld and jockey Pat Smullen in the colours of Moyglare Stud. Tragically, Pat Smullen passed away in September 2020 aged just 43 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer He is remembered at Newmarket with a race run in his honour at the bet365 Craven Meeting in April.

30 YEARS AGO (1993)

“This is very good horse!” extols Channel 4 Racing commentator Graham Goode as Zafonic cruises to a three and a half-length victory in course-record time It is a first 2000 Guineas victory for master French trainer Andre Fabre and a third for owner Khalid Abdullah and jockey Pat Eddery.

40 YEARS AGO (1983)

Lomond hands a third 2000 Guineas to the great trainer Vincent O’Brien. The winner races in the iconic silks of Robert Sangster and is partnered by Pat Eddery. The same owner, trainer and jockey won the Classic again 12 months’ later with El Gran Senor.

50 YEARS AGO (1973)

Mon Fils springs a 50-1 surprise under jockey Frankie Durr The winner is a first Classic winner for trainer Richard Hannon Senior, who went on to further 2000 Guineas glory with Don’t Forget Me (1987) and Tirol (1990) His son Richard Hannon Junior saddled the 2014 winner Night Of Thunder

100 YEARS AGO (1923)

Ellangowan, trained in Newmarket by Jack Jarvis, is a final Classic winner for Archibald Primrose, the 5th Earl of Rosebery, who served as Prime Minister from 1894 to 1895

200 YEARS AGO (1823)

The winner Nicolo was a rare horse to be born as a twin although sadly his sister died during birth. Nicolo was the middle of three 2000 Guineas winners for jockey Will Wheatley, sandwiched between Manfred (1817) and Schahriar (1824)