Horse Racing

2000 Guineas Preview: Date, Time, Runners, and Riders for 2023

May 4, 2023 7:08 pm

You know that the flat season has well and truly arrived when the Guineas comes around. This Saturday, the first elite race of the season takes place at Newmarket, where the best three-year-olds in the land will battle it out over the Rowley Mile to be crowned 2000 Guineas winner.

2000 Guineas
Photo by Icon Sport

One of Britain’s five Classic races and part of the Triple Crown alongside the Epsom Derby and the St Leger, the 2000 Guineas is a Group 1 contest open exclusively to three-year old fillies and colts. Geldings are not permitted to enter the contest. This prestigious race was first run in 1809 and has been won by some of the best and most recognisable flat horses ever to grace the turf.

Included on the list of 2000 Guineas winners are legendary horses such as Brigadier Gerard, who won in 1973, before going on to win a whole host of top Group 1 races. Three years before, the legendary Nijinski came home in front, before going on to claim both the Derby and the St Leger, becoming the first horse to win the elusive Triple Crown since Bahram did so 35 years earlier. In more recent times, top horses such as Sea the Stars and Frankel have claimed this most sought-after prize.

When will the 2023 renewal of 2000 Guineas be run?

The 2023 running of this famous race will take place at Newmarket Racecourse on Saturday May 6th. This year, the race will commence at 16:40. In previous years, the race has been run earlier in the afternoon, typically at 15:00, though this year the decision was made to move the race as to not coincide with other major sporting events, such as Premier League football matches. The idea is to maximise viewing figures, which seems like a positive.

Runners and riders for the 2000 Guineas

This year 14 horses have been declared to run, which is one less than last year’s race, won by Coroebus for James Doyle and Charlie Appleby, who team up again this time around.

Here is the full list of runners and riders:

Auguste Rodin (ridden by R L Moore, trained by A P O’Brien)

Two wins from two runs since stepping up to a mile, including the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster, this lightly-raced and highly promising colt looks likely to go off as a warm favourite. With Ryan Moore in the saddle, certainly appears to be the first choice for top stable.

Chaldean (ridden by L Dettori, trained by A M Balding)

The ride of Frankie Dettori in his last ever 2000 Guineas left punters disappointed when unseating his rider at Newbury on seasonal reappearance. He was hotly fancied that day and with good reason given his form towards the back end of the last campaign, when he won the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs at this venue. Can still improve and Can’t be discounted.

Charyn (ridden by T Marquand, trained by R Varian)

Two wins from five runs on the flat, this Roger Varian trained horse has looked pretty smart, especially when landing a Group 2 over six furlongs in France back in October. Entitled to come on for his second over seven furlongs in Group 3 company at Newbury a fortnight ago, but now needs to take quite a sizable step forward to play a major role here.

Dubai Mile (ridden by D Muscutt, trained by Charlie Johnston)

This colt earned himself a rating of 114 when getting the job done in Group 1 company over further in France last October. Needs to prove he’s ass effective over a mile, which may be difficult to do in this field off the back of a 196-day break.

Flight Plan (ridden by D Tudhope, trained by K R Burke)

One of the most lightly raced horses in the race, Flight Plan is yet to win a race of note. Scored at the second time of asking when landing the spoils in a modest novice contest at Newcastle back in November, before being put away for the winter. Returned early last month to run a decent race in Listed company over a mile at the same venue. This demands more so improvement needed.

Galeron (ridden by K Shoemark, trained by C Hills)

Rated 97 by the handicapper, Galeron may be one of the most experienced horses in here, though that experience might not count for much. Looked quite well held in a Listed race on Newcastle’s all-weather surface recently, and though he is entitled to come on for that, he’ll probably be out of his depth here.

Hi Royal (ridden by O Murphy, trained by K A Ryan)

Ridden by the 2020 winning jockey, this colt is unexposed and could yet prove to be good enough for this level, though he didn’t look to be anything special when finishing fourth in a handicap over seven furlongs here recently. Handicap mark would suggest he’ll find more than just a few too good.

Holloway Boy (ridden by C Soumillon, trained by K R Burke)

Looked a nice type when winning a Listed race on debut, but has been foiled four times since, twice as favourite. Last seen finishing over five lengths behind Auguste Rodin at Doncaster in October. Now returning from 196 days off, has plenty to find on that evidence.

Indestructible (ridden by Kevin Stott, trained by K R Burke)

One of three for this trainer, and this horse may have the best chance. Was twice beaten over seven furlongs by Chaldean last term, but the colt returned with a bang a fortnight ago, winning nicely when upped to a mile for the first time over course and distance. Could take another step in the right direction and is not out of it.

Little Big Bear (ridden by W Lordan, trained by A P O’Brien)

One of only two runners for prolific Guineas winner Aidan O’Brien, Little Big Bear, who is the highest rated horse in the race is no back number, that’s for sure. A Group 1 winner over shorter, needs to relish this step up in trip but easily could.

Noble Style (ridden by J Doyle, trained by C Appleby)

Three wins from three runs, Noble Style is yet to put a foot wrong and is thus a big player. Appeared to have plenty in hand when winning a Group 2 over six furlongs at York and it could be quite telling that he now goes straight for this top prize. Don’t discount for last year’s winning connections.

Royal Scotsman (ridden by J Crowley, trained by P Cole)

Did it well when confirming odds-on favouritism over six furlongs in Group 2 company at Goodwood last season. Was well held by both Noble Style after that, though he seemingly relished the step up to seven furlongs when just a head behind Chaldean at this venue. Ran on strongly there and should enjoy this extra furlong.

Sakheer (ridden by D Egan, trained by R Varian)

Thrice-raced winner, who looked far better than the grade when scooting clear in a Group 2 over six furlongs at Newbury last September. Off since, but could enjoy this step up and he’s likely not one to ignore completely.

Silver Knott (ridden by W Buick, trained by C Appleby)

More experienced than many, which may count for something, though he was well held by Chaldean at Doncaster last season. Ran very well when a close-up second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf in November. Entitled to improve.

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