Gstaad has been re‑entered into the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket after a supplementary payment of £30,000 was made to secure his participation. The colt, who had previously claimed the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf for Aidan O'Brien, was originally withdrawn from the Classic because of an administrative oversight, a mistake that also affected Albert Einstein. While Albert Einstein will continue to miss the race, Gstaad now joins three other Ballydoyle runners who have survived the Monday confirmation stage and remain in contention among the twenty colts still being considered for the event.
The other Ballydoyle hopefuls include the dual Group One champion Puerto Rico, the proven performer Causeway, and the promising Flushing Meadows. Each of these horses has demonstrated the class and stamina required to tackle the Rowley Mile over the classic distance, and their connections are eager to see which of them will ultimately earn a place on race day. Beyond the Irish contingent, there are several British‑trained runners who could make the journey across the Irish Sea.
Fozzy Stack’s lightly‑raced gelding Thesecretadversary and Robson De Aguiar’s Power Blue have both been earmarked as possible entrants, while home‑trained Bow Echo will be looking to maintain his unbeaten record when he lines up over the same course. Bow Echo’s connections see the Rowley Mile as an ideal test for the colt, and they hope his flawless record will translate into a strong showing against the international field. Another notable addition is George Boughey’s son of Night Of Thunder, who enjoyed an unbeaten three‑run campaign last season, culminating in a victory in the Royal Lodge Stakes.
That win came over the exact distance and on the same track that will be used for the Guineas, suggesting the colt is perfectly suited to the race conditions. Boughey’s horse will be looking to build on that form and prove that his success was no fluke. Charlie Pike has also entered a second supplementary runner, Padraig Dawn, who impressed by finishing second in the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle in only his second career start.
The filly’s rapid progression has caught the eye of punters and trainers alike, and her connections are confident that she can handle the step up to Group One level. Charlie Appleby may have a double representation in the field, with both the Dewhurst‑placed Distant Storm and the unbeaten King’s Trail slated to travel to Newmarket. Both horses have shown the speed and tenacity required for a classic sprint, and Appleby’s stable will be hoping that at least one of them can translate their form onto the Guineas stage. Meanwhile, Roger Varian’s Avicenna remains a strong contender for the Godolphin colours, having displayed a blend of stamina and acceleration that could prove decisive over the mile.
John and Thady Gosden’s Oxagon, who edged out Avicenna to claim second place in the Craven Stakes, is also still in the mix. The Gosdens have highlighted Oxagon’s ability to settle well and produce a strong finishing kick, qualities that are essential for success on the Rowley Mile’s undulating terrain.
Karl Burke may field a trio of runners, including Greenham victor Alparslan, the well‑balanced Billecart, and the promising Hankelow. Burke’s training methods focus on developing a horse’s cruising speed and stamina, and he believes each of these three has the potential to upset the odds on the day. In addition, Francis‑Henri Graffard’s Samangan will be the sole international challenger from the continent, bringing a different racing style that could catch the British‑trained runners off guard.
Jim Boyle’s Into The Sky, who finished a close second in the Mill Reef at the tail end of last season, will be looking to reverse that form under the guidance of William Haggas. Boyle’s stable also includes Needle Match, who finished fourth behind Alparslan in the Greenham and will aim to improve on that effort with a more aggressive race plan.
Completing the field are Andrew Balding’s Venetian Prince and Ismail Mohammed’s Lord Britain, both of whom have shown consistency in their recent outings and could provide a strong finishing burst in the final furlongs. Turning to the 1000 Guineas, the ante‑post favourite is Precise, one of twenty‑two fillies still being considered for the Betfred 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday.
Precise is a daughter of Starspangledbanner and has already won four of her five juvenile starts, including Group One victories in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh and the Fillies’ Mile on the Rowley Mile. A spring setback threatened to derail her campaign, but trainer Aidan O’Brien remained optimistic after a recent press conference, confirming that Precise will be entered in the first fillies’ Classic of the year at Monday’s confirmation stage.
O’Brien has also left his unbeaten Diamond Necklace in the mix, a colt he suggests could be aimed at the French Guineas if Precise proves fit for Newmarket. Other Ballydoyle hopefuls include True Love and Venosa, both of which have shown promising form in recent prep races.
On the home side, Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun will lead his stable’s efforts. Venetian Sun was impressive as a two‑year‑old, winning his first four starts before finishing a respectable third behind Precise in his final Irish start.
Burke also has a second string in the Prix de la Grotte winner Evolutionist, adding depth to his entry list. Charlie Appleby’s only remaining chance to achieve back‑to‑back 1000 Guineas victories comes from Kempton winner Abashiri, who hopes to emulate Desert Flower’s triumph from a year ago. The Godolphin colours may also be represented by Andre Fabre’s potential French challenger My Highness, who could add an extra layer of international intrigue to the race. Other notable fillies include Owen Burrows‑trained Fred Darling runner‑up Touleen, Ed Walker’s lightly‑raced The Prettiest Star, Stuart Williams’ surprise Mill Reef victor Azleet, and the unbeaten Darn Hot Gallop from James Tate’s yard.
Each of these horses brings a unique blend of speed, stamina, and racing experience, ensuring that the 1000 Guineas will be a fiercely contested affair with plenty of tactical possibilities for trainers and jockeys alike. In summary, the 2000 Guineas field has been enriched by the reinstatement of Gstaad and the inclusion of several strong supplementary entries, while the 1000 Guineas sees Precise firmly entrenched as the market favourite amid a deep and varied lineup of talented fillies.
Both Classics promise high‑quality racing, strategic depth, and the potential for memorable upsets as the season’s early mile events unfold at Newmarket.