Following hot on the heels of Newmarket’s Betfred 1000 and 2000 Guineas are the trials for the Epsom Classics.
Contenders for the Betfred Derby and the Betfred Oaks will attempt to push their credentials as the world-famous races take shape.
Newmarket
Betfred 2000 Guineas Day, Saturday 2 May
The month’s Premier Racing meetings kick off in style with the first Classic of the season.
The Betfred 2000 Guineas has been won by some of the greats of the sport, like Frankel and Sea The Stars.
Trainer Charlie Appleby and the powerful Godolphin operation have a strong hand this year with Distant Storm and unbeaten King’s Trail, as they attempt to complete a hat-trick of wins in the Rowley Mile Group 1 prize.
The Group 3 HKJC World Pool Palace House Stakes is the supporting highlight of a bumper nine-race card.
Newmarket
Betfred 1000 Guineas Day, Sunday 3 May
The top three-year-old fillies get their chance to grab Classic glory in the Betfred 1000 Guineas.
Irish Champion Trainer Aidan O’Brien looks likely to have multiple runners as he attempts to win this prestigious Group 1 prize for the eighth time.
He has hot favourite Precise, unbeaten Diamond Necklace and Cheveley Park Stakes heroine True Love among his entries.
The Group 2 Dahlia Stakes for older fillies and mares is among the supporting races.
York
Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Dante Stakes, Thursday 14 May
With the Betfred Derby taking place on the first weekend in June, the trials for the Epsom Classic comes thick and fast this month.
Traditionally, one of the strongest of them is the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes. The Group 2 contest has been won by subsequent Derby heroes Golden Horn and Desert Crown in recent years.
The Group 2 Middleton Stakes forms part of the undercard. Bluestocking won the race in 2024, six months before landing the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
York
Boodles Yorkshire Cup, Friday 15 May
The stayers take centre stage on the third and final day of the Dante Festival.
The Boodles Yorkshire Cup is the feature race and the Group 2 prize has been won by some of Flat racing’s most popular horses in recent years.
Rebel’s Romance was successful 12 months ago, while Stradivarius is also on the roll of honour three times.
Newbury
BOYLE Sports Lockinge with Ladies Day, Saturday 16 May
The Premier Racing focus falls on Newbury for its big Flat fixture of the year.
The Boyle Sports Lockinge Stakes is the day’s big race when the cream of the established milers will battle it out for the Group 1 prize.
Notable Speech – winner of the 2000 Guineas in 2024 – heads the possible contenders, as well as last year’s St Kames’s Palace Stakes hero Field of Gold and improving Damysus.
It’s supported by the Trade Nation London Gold Cup. The 1m2f contest is one of the most informative handicaps of the year and has been won by subsequent Group 1 winners.
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