Last Sunday’s Qipco 1000 Guineas was all about whether one filly could produce a spectacular performance. It turned out she could, and she was still beaten.
Dermot Weld’s Tahiyra, sensational when winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes last September, looked set to tear apart the first fillies’ classic of the season three furlongs from home, but she met a tenacious competitor in Mawj, who fought her every yard on the final two furlongs to hold her off by a half length, the pair of them pulling a mammoth seven and a half lengths clear of their 18 rivals in what was the biggest 1000 Guineas field in 16 years.
Saeed Bin Suroor became a classic winning trainer again but the main story was the winning rider, Oisin Murphy. The Kerry native didn’t ride a single race last year after he went through a 14-month suspension for breaking the sport’s COVID-19 rules in 2021 and failing two alcohol tests.
It was a dramatic fall from grace for the rider as he had just become champion jockey for a third time, and was seen by many as the next most recognisable face in the sport after Frankie Dettori.
He has been well backed for his comeback, retaining his top job with Qatar Racing, and this big race success has him at the top of the racing world again.
Mawj and Oisin Murphy (blue cap) winning the Qipco1000 Guineas Stakes from Tahiyra\ Newmarket \ Dan Abraham-focusonracing.com
“This is beyond my wildest dreams,” he said in the winners’ enclosure. “There is nothing better. I was second in the race yesterday (2000 Guineas) and to win it is unbelievable.
“I had a really good start back with lots of different trainers supporting me. Just to get back in the big races with a crowd is a great feeling.
“They are two top class fillies – it is lovely to see a classic like that where the two of them come clear and show their class.”
Frankie Dettori wins the Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) at Newmarket. \ Mark Cranham-focusonracing.com
The 2000 Guineas went to Chaldean, who gave Frankie Dettori a win in the race on his farewell year. Aidan O’Brien’s duo Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear were bitterly disappointing on what was a bad weekend at the office for the Ballydoyle handler. Meditate, his big hope in the 1000 Guineas, could only finish sixth.
Mawj and Tahiyra could meet again in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Last Sunday’s Qipco 1000 Guineas was all about whether one filly could produce a spectacular performance. It turned out she could, and she was still beaten.
Dermot Weld’s Tahiyra, sensational when winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes last September, looked set to tear apart the first fillies’ classic of the season three furlongs from home, but she met a tenacious competitor in Mawj, who fought her every yard on the final two furlongs to hold her off by a half length, the pair of them pulling a mammoth seven and a half lengths clear of their 18 rivals in what was the biggest 1000 Guineas field in 16 years.
Saeed Bin Suroor became a classic winning trainer again but the main story was the winning rider, Oisin Murphy. The Kerry native didn’t ride a single race last year after he went through a 14-month suspension for breaking the sport’s COVID-19 rules in 2021 and failing two alcohol tests.
It was a dramatic fall from grace for the rider as he had just become champion jockey for a third time, and was seen by many as the next most recognisable face in the sport after Frankie Dettori.
He has been well backed for his comeback, retaining his top job with Qatar Racing, and this big race success has him at the top of the racing world again.
Mawj and Oisin Murphy (blue cap) winning the Qipco1000 Guineas Stakes from Tahiyra\ Newmarket \ Dan Abraham-focusonracing.com
“This is beyond my wildest dreams,” he said in the winners’ enclosure. “There is nothing better. I was second in the race yesterday (2000 Guineas) and to win it is unbelievable.
“I had a really good start back with lots of different trainers supporting me. Just to get back in the big races with a crowd is a great feeling.
“They are two top class fillies – it is lovely to see a classic like that where the two of them come clear and show their class.”
Frankie Dettori wins the Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) at Newmarket. \ Mark Cranham-focusonracing.com
The 2000 Guineas went to Chaldean, who gave Frankie Dettori a win in the race on his farewell year. Aidan O’Brien’s duo Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear were bitterly disappointing on what was a bad weekend at the office for the Ballydoyle handler. Meditate, his big hope in the 1000 Guineas, could only finish sixth.
Mawj and Tahiyra could meet again in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
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