At the start of the month, Newmarket once again treated us to their incredibly popular Guineas weekend, which was headlined by the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas. Now it is Ireland’s turn to host their version of these two historic races, the first two Classics of the Irish flat season. As usual, the Curragh is the stage for the Irish Guineas weekend and you can be certain many big names will be in attendance.
Across this side of the Irish Sea, the two standout fixtures, which we will cover here, are Goodwood’s May Festival and Temple Stakes Day at Haydock Park – the climactic finish to a three-day meeting at the Merseyside course.
Fri 23rd – Sun 25th: Irish Guineas Weekend
Although the Irish Guineas weekend begins on Friday, the first day of action is really only a low-profile warm-up to the racing on Saturday and Sunday. None of the big races feature on the opening day, so many punters will simply wait until Saturday before tuning in.
This is one of Ireland’s biggest flat racing meets and one that attracts over 10,000 spectators across the weekend. As well as enjoying the style and lively atmosphere that characterises this weekend, those in attendance will also get to witness some of the fastest British and Irish horses around.
Day 2: Colts up first in 2,000 Guineas
We will intentionally skip Friday as it is not a major affair and head straight to Saturday, which is the day of the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Heading the betting for this lucrative €460,000 contest is Field of Gold, the narrowly beaten runner-up in the English equivalent of this race earlier in the month. The early favourite will likely face much strong competition though, as this valuable race tends to attract a decent size field.
The 2,000 Guineas is open to both three-year-old colts and fillies, but it looks set to be contested exclusively by the former. Other highlights on Saturday include the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes – a six-furlong sprint that precedes the 2,000 Guineas, and the Emerald Mile Handicap, which follows straight afterwards.
Day 3: 1,000 Guineas and Gold Cup Double
On the final day of the Guineas weekend, we are treated to two huge races in the shape of the 1,000 Guineas and Tattersalls Gold Cup. The 1,000 Guineas is strictly for fillies, so a chance for the best three-year-old female horses to show what they are made of. This is shaping up to be a very competitive renewal of the contest featuring several talented contenders.
Aidan O’Brien, leading trainer in both the 2,000 & 1,000 Guineas, will no doubt have a strong presence and his best hopes seem to be with Lake Victoria, despite disappointing in the English 1,000 Guineas. Moving over to the Tattersalls Gold Cup, the contest for four-year-olds and older is narrowly the most lucrative race of the weekend with its €470,000 purse.
The Group 1 contest always attracts much attention as a result, and from the 27 entries, 10 are trained by one of the O’Briens (Aidan or Patrick), so it will be interesting to see who fares best here – father or son.
Fri 23rd – Sat 24th: Goodwood May Festival
Closer to home, one of the British racing highlights this week comes courtesy of Goodwood who host their two-day May Festival meeting. Across the two days, there are four Listed-quality races, contests which are sometimes used by promising horses looking for a useful warm-up ahead of some loftier pursuits. Due to this, it is always well worth keeping tabs on any horse that impresses in any of these contests.
Saturday 24th May – Temple Stakes Tops Off Excellent Saturday of Racing
Racing fans are rather spoiled for choice this coming Saturday because, as well as the action at the Curragh and Goodwood, Haydock Park hosts the climactic ending of their three-day meeting. The reason it is a climactic finish is that on Saturday, it is time for the Group 2 Temple Stakes. Often decided within a minute, this rapid five-furlong sprint is a popular starting point for some leading speedsters.
Watching runners storm down the centre of Haydock’s straight track always makes for a thrilling spectacle, and often it proves to be a real nail-biter. Of the last four renewals, all have been won by a length or less.
