2000 Guineas History
The Two Thousand Guineas Stakes is a Group 1 thoroughbred flat horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) on the Rowley Mile course at Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket, Suffolk, England in late April / early May. It is one of five classic races in the United Kingdom.
It was first run in 1809 and takes its name from the original guaranteed prize fund of 2,000 guineas (worth approx. £110,000 today — 1 guinea = £1 1s, or £1.05).
2000 Guineas
Run over a mile at Newmarket in early May, mainly a test of speed but the uphill finish to the Rowley mile has found many a colt wanting for stamina over the years.
United Kingdom Classic Races
In United Kingdom horse racing, The Classics are a series of horse races run over the flat (i.e. without jumps). Each classic is run once each year and is restricted to horses that are three years old.The five races are:
- Two Thousand Guineas Stakes
- One Thousand Guineas Stakes
- Oaks Stakes
- Epsom Derby Stakes
- St. Leger Stakes
The race takes place early in the season and there may be little previous form for that year - last season's two-year-old form is usually taken as the most reliable guide to predicting the outcome. Although eligible, fillies rarely take part in the race any longer.
