2000 Guineas 2008
The 200th anniversary of the Stan James 2000 Guineas event featured a breath-taking finish to make it a truly memorable racing day as two of the best trained Irish colts led towards the last furlong.
For most of the race, New Approach (drawn at 2 and trained by Jim Bolger) took a clear lead and near the end broke away to run two lengths clear of the pack. Nevertheless, Henrythenavigator with Johnny Murtagh kept a strong pace and showed incredible stamina as they made excellent headway going into the nail-biting final stretch. Henrythenavigator took full advantage of the dry ground and narrow pushed forward to beat New Approach by an extremely narrow margin and claim a brilliant victory at the 200th running of the 2000 Guineas.
Aiden ‘O Brien Newmarker Racecourse 2008
This also marked a fifth victory for Henrythenavigator’s trainer, Aidan O’Brien, at the Classic Stan James. He stated after the close victory at Newmarket Racecourse: “It was a masterful ride from Johnny, who waited and played the horse to all his strengths. He was very confident and super strong. Henrythenavigator has always been an exceptional work horse at home and the times he got beat last year it was real winter ground - he’s a proper fast ground horse.”
Although his horse was an 11/8 favourite for the 2000 Guineas race, Jim Bolger took the defeat well and stated that he was pleased with New Approach’s performance at Newmarket Racecourse: “I’m pleased with the way he travelled and he was coming back at the winner at the end. They are two very good horses. Obviously, it would have been nice to have won but I’m still happy.”
The third place finish at the 2000 Guineas 2008 was awarded to the duly brilliant effort from an unexpected Stubbs Art, jockeyed by Seb Sanders.
Jimmy Fortune on Raven’s Pass took advantage of the fast ground at Newmarket Racecourse and claimed 4th place.
For full details of standings for the 2000 Guineas 2008 race, see 2000 Guineas 2008 results.
Who do you think will take the 2000 Guineas at its 201st running in 2009?
