2:35 Goodwood (31st July) Ivawood: Winning Money This Easy Is Pornographic

The Qatar Bloodstock Richmond Stakes Group 2 for colts and geldings over 6f on good to firm ground. Nine two-year-olds take part: all raced and winners. This contest could well be about one horse - Ivawood.

This son of first season sire Zebedee cost 220,000gns when purchased at Tattersalls October Sales 2013 (Book 1) Lot 472, by Mrs A Skiffington. This February foal, a bay colt, out of a poor multiple-winning mare [Keene's Royale, trained by Ralphe Beckett] has won both starts to date. 

Richard Hannon has a wealth of talented two-year-old horses in his two stables but Ivawood was very much a talking horse on debut when racing over the minimum trip on debut at Sandown [5f]. Racing in the familiar silks of owners Carmicheal Jennings, this good-looking juvenile was sent off 8/11f when making a taking debut win over Magical Memory, who proved victorious at Leicester next start. 

Every inch a confidence rider, Richard Hughes won in unhurried fashion when taking the July Stakes Group 2 at Newmarket over 6f, going away in the final 100 yard to win readily by two-and-half lengths. 

Other race entries include: Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2), Champagne Stakes (Group 2), Mill Reef Stakes (Group 2). The Middle Park Stakes (Group 1) & Racing Post Trophy (Group 1) are likely to be on the agenda come the end of the season.

Both trainer and jockey have spoken of this horse in glowing terms and it is already one of the favourites for next year's 2,000 Guineas. 

It would be a major surprise if this 4/9f doesn't arouse a winner's cheer at Glorious Goodwood. 

Kingston Could Head Straight to 2000 Guineas

Kingston Hill, Roger Varian’s high-class juvenile of last season, may well take his chance in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May without first having a prep race.

The unbeaten son of rising star stallion Mastercraftsman ended last term by completing a blemish-free hattrick in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October, showing bags of class as he powered away from Ballydoyle’s very useful Johann Strauss to score by an impressive four-and-a-half lengths, establishing himself as a leading candidate for both the first colts’ class of the 2014 season and the Investec Derby at Epsom in June.

Varian has not committed his exciting prospect to the 2000 Guineas and intends keeping his options open as long as possible with the Derby appearing to be a central target for the Paul Smith-owned colt.

Currently an 8/1 shot in the racing betting list for the 2000 Guineas (with Bet365), and 8/1 second-favourite behind Aidan O’Brien’s Australia (9/2) for the Derby, Kingston Hill is out of a dam by Rainbow Quest, suggesting there is every chance he may be even better over middle-distances than over a bare mile. His half-sister, Ramona Chase (by High Chaparral), won twice at a mile-and-a-quarter and once at a mile-and-a-half.

Kingston Hill didn’t make his racecourse bow until Newbury on September 21 when comfortably accounting for Exchequer in a seven furlong maiden. He took the immediate step into pattern race company very much in his stride when beating Oklahoma City by two lengths in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket on October 12, then rounded off his rapid rise to the top by justifying racing live betting odds of 7/2 at Doncaster in the Racing Post Trophy.

Varian’s star has so far only run on easy ground but his Newmarket-based handler has few worries about his ability to handler a quick surface.

Your Guide to the QIPCO 2000 Guineas 2013 Festival

Following on from the Craven Meeting (17th - 18th April) Newmarket's Rowley Mile looks forward to Classic race action:

QUIPCO Guineas Festival 

Saturday 4th May - QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day

This prestigious Group 1 race is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts & fillies racing over a mile. It is one of Britain's five Classic races. The 2000 Guineas has a rich history with many outstanding horses. Who could forget Sir Henry Cecil's Frankel (2011), arguably the greatest horse of this modern era. However, this race was inaugurated in 1809, won by a colt named Wizard, trained by Tom Perren. 

Records:

Leading jockey: Jem Robinson who won the race 9 times. Don't remember him? Not too surprising as he successes came in the period of 1825 - 1848. Since 2000, Keiren Fallon has won four times.       

Leading trainer: Historically Jeremy Scott has 7 wins in a twenty year period (1842 - 1862). Since 1998, Aidan O'Brien has won the race six times with top class horses such as: George Washington, Henrythenavigator & Camelot. 

Facts:

Mister Baileys (1994) holds the record for the fastest time (1:35.08). The widest margin winner since 1900 was Tudor Minstrel (1947) by 8 lengths. The longest priced winner was a 66/1 shot named Rockavon (1961). The most runners were seen in 1930 with 28 runners, while in in 1829-30 there were only 2 runners. 

2013 Betting 

If the betting is to be believed, this year's contest is all about one horse - Dawn Approach - who is presently 11/8 favourite. Jim Bolger's son of New Approach won the Coventry Group 2 at Royal Ascot and Dewhurst Stakes Group 1. He is European Champion Two-Year-Old Colt 2012.

Other contenders include: Toronado, Mars, Cristoforo Colombo, Garswood...      

Sunday 5th May - QIPCO 1000 Guineas Day

Open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. This one mile contest follows the 2000 Guineas Stakes. The 1000 Guineas was inaugurated in 1814 won by Charlotte, trained by Tom Perren. This race has been won by some of the most talented horses in the world. 

Records:

Leading jockey: Historically George Fordham has 7 wins from 1859 - 1883.  

Leading trainer: Robert Robson may not be a name modern race fans remember but he was a legend in the early seventeen hundreds. In fact, from 1818 - 1827 he won every race bar 1926. 

Facts: 

• Fastest winning time – Ghanaati (2009), 1m 34.22s
• Widest winning margin – Mayonaise (1859), 20 lengths
• Longest odds winner – Ferry (1918), 50/1
• Shortest odds winner – Crucifix (1840), 1/10
• Most runners – 29, in 1926
• Fewest runners – 1 (a walkover), in 1825

  
2013 Betting

This years contest is a competitive affair. Just The Judge, What A Name, while Sir Henry Cecil's Snap Shot is favourite.

I originally had an ante-post bet on Certify - very annoying considering it was with Betfair. I am going to have a decent bet on Hot Snap. I think this is a class horse and think we will be looking at an impressive win.

Other runners include: Moth, Big Break, Sky Lantern, Flotilla & Rosdhu Queen...

Enjoy a day at the races

Packed grandstands, dressed-to-impress race-goers and sport that will make your heart thump: that’s why the QIPCO Guineas Festival is a seriously special party, and this year it will be even bigger than ever as we celebrate the 200th running of the 1000 Guineas, one of British racing's five 'Classics'.

The historic QIPCO 1000 Guineas (Sun, May 5) and the QIPCO 2000 Guineas (Sat, May 4) will see Europe's finest racehorses going head-to-head on the first weekend over the Rowley Mile.

These races are part of the elite British Champions Series (staged through the season at England’s major meetings) from which champions emerge - not least Frankel, the amazing winner of the 2011 renewal of the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. Who will be the stars of this year’s show?

But the stunning racing is not the only reason why the Rowley Mile feels highly charged on QIPCO Guineas Festival Weekend. Feel the rush at our high-octane showdown as we celebrate our heritage, while living for the moment.

For all the latest trainer news visit Horse Trainer Directory