The decision has been made to re‑enter Gstaad into the Betfred 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, with a supplementary fee of £30,000 paid to secure his spot. The horse, a former Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf champion trained by Aidan O'Brien, was originally withdrawn from the Classic because of a clerical mistake, the same error that also saw Albert Einstein removed from the entry list. While Albert Einstein remains a non‑starter, Gstaad is now back in contention as one of four Ballydoyle runners slated to appear at the Monday confirmation stage. The other three Ballydoyle horses are the dual Group One winner Puerto Rico, the versatile Causeway, and the promising Flushing Meadows, all of which are among the twenty colts still being considered for the race.
In addition to the Ballydoyle contingent, several other entries could make the journey across the Irish Sea. Fozzy Stack’s colt Thesecretadversary and Robson De Aguiar’s Power Blue are both potential participants, while the home‑trained Bow Echo will be looking to extend his unbeaten record over the Rowley Mile.
George Boughey’s son of Night Of Thunder has also earned a place after winning each of his three starts last season, culminating in a victory in the Royal Lodge Stakes, which was contested over the same course and distance as the Guineas. A second supplementary entry comes from Charlie Pike, whose Padraig Dawn finished a close second in the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle on only his second career start.
This adds further depth to the field, which is likely to be a blend of proven Group performers and rising talent. Trainer Charlie Appleby may field two horses: Distant Storm, who placed third in the Dewhurst, and the unbeaten King’s Trail.
Both have shown the speed and stamina required for a Classic mile. Roger Varian’s Avicenna is another possible Godolphin‑linked runner, while John and Thady Gosden’s Oxagon, who beat Avicenna into second place in the Craven Stakes, is also expected to hold his own.
Karl Burke could turn in a triple effort with Alparslan, the Greenham winner, alongside Billecart and Hankelow. France’s Francis‑Henri Graffard will be represented by Samangan, the sole international challenger in the lineup. Jim Boyle’s Into The Sky, a length‑second in the Mill Reef Stakes toward the end of last season, will aim to improve on that form, while Needle Match, who finished fourth behind Alparslan in the Greenham, will be given a chance by William Haggas. Rounding out the field are Andrew Balding’s Venetian Prince and Ismail Mohammed’s Lord Britain, both of whom have shown enough promise to merit a place at Newmarket.
Turning to the 1000 Guineas, the ante‑post favourite is Precise, one of twenty‑two fillies entered for the Betfred 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday. Precise is a daughter of Starspangledbanner and boasts an impressive juvenile record, winning four of her five starts, including Group One victories in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh and the Fillies’ Mile on the Rowley Mile.
A spring injury threatened to derail her campaign, but Aidan O’Brien expressed optimism after a recent press briefing, confirming that Precise will be among the first fillies to contest the Classic at the Monday confirmation stage. O’Brien has also retained the unbeaten Diamond Necklace, who may be aimed at the French Guineas provided Precise remains fit for Newmarket, as well as the fillies True Love and Venosa. On the British side, Karl Burke’s Venetian Sun, who was dominant in her first four starts as a two‑year‑old before finishing third behind Precise in her final Irish start, will be a key contender.
Burke’s stable also includes Evolutionist, the winner of the Prix de la Grotte, offering an interesting secondary option. Charlie Appleby hopes to secure back‑to‑back 1000 Guineas victories with Abashiri, the Kempton winner, following Desert Flower’s triumph a year earlier.
Godolphin’s colours could also be represented by Andre Fabre’s French‑trained My Highness, who may travel to Newmarket if his connections feel he is up to the task. Other notable fillies in the mix include Owen Burrows’ Fred Darling runner‑up Touleen, Ed Walker’s lightly‑raced The Prettiest Star, Stuart Williams’ surprise Mill Reef winner Azleet, and the unbeaten Darn Hot Gallop from James Tate’s yard. Each of these horses brings a unique set of credentials, whether it be proven Group form, rapid improvement, or untested potential, making the 1000 Guineas a highly competitive affair.
Overall, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas fields are shaping up to be a blend of seasoned Group winners, promising juveniles stepping up in distance, and a few late‑season additions like Gstaad and Padraig Dawn that have been supplemented to take advantage of the opportunities created by administrative oversights. Trainers are keen to balance experience with youthful vigor, and the supplementary fees paid for Gstaad and Padraig Dawn highlight the belief that these horses can still make a significant impact despite missing the original entry deadline. As the confirmation stage approaches, bettors and enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see which of these varied contenders will ultimately line up on the Rowley Mile, and which will go on to claim the coveted Classic titles.