2000 Guineas

NEWMARKET, ENGLAND - MAY 3: Pat Smullen brings Refuse To Bend (red cap on left) home to land The Sagitta 2000 Guineas Stakes Race run at Newmarket Racecourse on May 3, 2003 in Newmarket, England. (Photo by Julian Herbert/Getty Images)

The 2008 Stan James Guineas Festival will see the 200th running of the 2000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile Course at the Newmarket Racecourse in Suffolk.

2000 Guineas history goes back to 18 April 1809, when the first race was run at Newmarket. The 2000 Guineas is the oldest of the five British Classic races. It takes its name from the prize offered for the race in the early 1800s. Today, 2000 guineas would be worth roughly £110,000.

The 2000 Guineas is a one-mile, Group 1 flat race for three-year-old thoroughbred colts. Although fillies are officially allowed to enter the race, the last time this occurred was in 1944. The 1000 Guineas for fillies is run the day after. Both of the Guineas races attract the top flat-racing owners, trainers and jockeys – as well as thousands of racing fans – each year, at the outset of the racing season in spring.

For 2008, the total prize for the 2000 Guineas is £350,000.

2008 Stan James Guineas Festival

The 2008 Stan James Guineas Festival will be held at Newmarket on Saturday and Sunday, 3 and 4 May, with the 2000 Guineas raced on the opening Saturday and the 1000 Guineas raced on the Sunday. Each day of the festival will see a total of seven races, including its feature Guineas race.

On 3 May, day of the 2000 Guineas, the first race will be run at 2:05pm and the last race will be at 5:30pm. On 4 May, racing will start at 1:55pm and the last race will be at 5:30pm.

For directions to the Newmarket Racecourse for the 2008 Stan James Guineas Festival, check our 2000 Guineas travel page. Visit the Guineas 2000 tickets page for ticket options.

2000 Guineas Betting

Each year, 2000 Guineas odds are eagerly awaited as thousands of racing fans start considering their bets for this Classic race. The 2000 Guineas is the first Classic race of the season – making betting on form tricky. This means it’s especially important to look to top 2000 Guineas trainers and jockeys, rather than focusing just on favoured horses.

The 2000 Guineas sets the stage for the rest of the season, helping to determine which trainers, jockeys, and horses are the top ones to back. Before placing your bets for 2008, check our 2000 Guineas betting tips and guidelines.

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