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The first classic of the British season is the 2000 Guineas run at Newmarket on Saturday.
This has been Aidan O'Brien's race winning in ten times including last year with Magna Grecia. Will it be again in the 2020 2000 Guineas (1609m) at Newmarket on Saturday?
2020 2000 GUINEAS - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND
The 2000 Guineas is a Group 1 race run under Set Weights conditions for three year olds at Newmarket conducted by the Jockey Club.
The 2000 Guineas is run over the mile. It was first run in 1809 and was won by Wizard.
The 2000 Guineas is the first of the classic season flat races held each year. One of five classics, it is run at the end of April or start of May. The Derby and St Leger form the rest of the Triple Crown.
Run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, it is always a test up the straight course.
The founder of the Derby Sir Charles Bunbury, initiated the Guineas in 1809. It was named after the prize funds for the race.
There have been few filly winners but they include Pastille, Crucifix, Formosa, Pilgrimage, Shotover, Sceptre and Garden Path.
The last horse to win the Triple Crown starting with the 2000 Guineas was the great Nijinsky in 1970.
Frankel's performance in 2011 was one of the most famous not only in the race's history but in all the history of racing. The colt led by over ten lengths at halfway. He was still a massive margin in front coming up the rise and it was just a procession.
Most wins as a jockey is by Jem Robinson with nine between 1825 and 1848.
Famous jockeys to win the 2000 Guineas include Gordon Richards, Scobie Breasley, Edgar Britt, Lester Piggott, George Moore, Ron Hutchinson, Willie Carson, Steve Cauthen, Pat Eddery, Kieren Fallon, Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore.
Leading current trainer Aidan O'Brien has ten beginning with King Of Kings in 1998 up to Magna Grecia in 2019.
Other distinguished trainers to salute include Vincent O'Brien, Henry Cecil, Michael Stoute, Richard Hannon, Andre Fabre, Dermot Weld, John Oxx and Saeed Bin Suroor.
The 2000 Guineas was reduced to £250,000 in 2020 due to the coronavirus.
Notable winners of the 2000 Guineas include Frankel (2011), Sea The Stars (2009), Henrythenavigator (2008), Rock Of Gibraltar (2002), King Of Kings (1998), Zafonic (1993), Nashwan (1989), Dancing Brave (1986), El Gran Senor (1984), Wollow (1976), Brigadier Gerard (1971), Nijinsky (1970), Sir Ivor (1968) and Tudor Minstrel (1947).
The 2019 2000 Guineas was won by Magna Grecia from King Of Change and Skardu.
