1,000 Guineas 2008 Review

Tens of thousands of racing fans converged at Newmarket Racecourse to celebrate the launch of the summer flat racing season – the 1000 Guineas & 2000 Guineas races. And although rain was predicted to fall on Suffolk throughout the weekend, the racing was of the highest order. Visit our results page for a full listing of 1000 Guineas 2008 event.

The wet conditions were welcomed by several of the trainers fielding entries in the 1,000 Guineas stakes. Foremost amongst these was Pascal Bary, trainer of second favourite Natagora, who finished in first place. 7/2 priced Natagora wintered in France and spent her pre-season training working over the notoriously heavy ground at Maissons Laffitte.Natagora pressed home a significant advantage over the horses that wintered on the well drained tracks of Suffolk.

Pascal Bary was delighted with the Natagora’s run, especially since his Six Perfections was beaten by Russian Rhythm in 2003. He stated: “I was confident that she would get the mile after she ran so well over seven furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte. Christophe and I would have preferred to have had two or three horses in front of us but she started to race and she had to do the job. Not only does she have speed but she is brave.”

Trainer James Fanshawe was satisfied with Spacious’s close second place finish: “She ran very well. Jamie (Spencer) said she just needed a stronger pace.”

Jim Bolger, who trained the third place finish, Saoirse Abu, as well as Lush Lashes in sixth position said: “Kevin (Manning) came back and said with another furlong Saoirse Abu might have got there and Kerrin McEvoy said Lush Lashes could have done with further. Did I run them over the wrong trip? They just needed a bit more real estate!”

John Gosden also picked up a victory will with Infallible’s fourth place finish at the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday. For more details visit our 1000 Guineas 2008 results section.