A look back at the last three winners of the Irish Guineas

Over the last week or so, it has been announced by Horse Racing Ireland that racing will resume after its indefinite postponement, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. With the news that Naas will host the first racecard on June 8th, it’s also been revealed that the Irish Classics will be taking place, with the Curragh hosting the famous 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas on June 12-13th. While you check out yesterday's racing results on Betfair's Blog, we go back through the archives and look back at the past three winners of these two very famous races.

2019 

1,000 Guineas winner: Hermosa 

A dominant display from Hermosa saw the Aidan O’Brien-trained filly complete a Classic double, winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh, having already won the English equivalent at Newmarket. The 5/2 favourite always held the pace and kicked on in the final furlong to beat Pretty Pollyanna by four lengths, and provide O’Brien with his eighth win in the Classic. 

2,000 Guineas winner: Phoenix of Spain

Phoenix of Spain upstaged his rival Too Darn Hot (and joint-favourite Magna Grecia, who had won the Newmarket race) to take the 2,000 Guineas title – despite not having raced all season. The Charles Hills-trained colt missed the English namesake race, but certainly rose to the challenge at the Curragh, going on to win by three lengths, with Too Darn Hot finishing in second and Magna Grecia in fourth. It was a first win for both trainer Hills and jockey, Jamie Spencer. 

2018 

1,000 Guineas winner: Alpha Centauri 

Jessica Harrington’s Alpha Centauri upset the odds and took the crown, as favourite Happily flopped. It was a first win in the Classics for Harrington, who’d had podium finishes in the past. The filly beat massive outsider Could It Be Love by a length and a quarter, consigning the O’Brien duo (father and trainer, Aidan and son, jockey Donnacha) to second place. 

2,000 Guineas winner: Romanised 

There was a shock in the 2,000 Guineas, when Aidan O’Brien was ousted by Ken Condon’s Romanised. The highly-decorated trainer had to make do with a trio of second, third and fourth-place finishes, but at 25/1, Romanised was good value for his win. It was a debut win for Condon in the Classics and a first win on the track for 10 months – with the three-year-old, and Shane Foley in the saddle, winning his first major race.

  

2017

1,000 Guineas winner: Winter 

There were no surprises this time around, with favourite and winner of the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas, Winter taking the crown at the Curragh. With Wayne Lordan in the saddle for the race three weeks previous, it marked another win for the dream duo of jockey Moore and trainer O’Brien. It was a good day for the highly successful trainer, who secured a one-two-three with Roly Poly and Hydrangea completing the top three – and he wasn’t done there… 

2,000 Guineas winner: Churchill 

O’Brien made it a double-double as he secured victory in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. He’d previously won the Newmarket namesake with Churchill and the colt came good with Moore in the saddle once more to complete a clean-sweep of Classics. He was the 4/9 favourite ahead of the race at the Curragh and held off the challenges of Thunder Snow to win the race by two and a half lengths – and become the ninth horse to complete the Curragh/Newmarket 2,000 Guineas double.

Three Significantly Underrated UK Trainers

There are a number of trainers who have gained notoriety for regularly producing winners at high-profile events such as Royal Ascot and the Cheltenham Festival. Whilst the likes of Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby are superbly astute operators, who deserve enormous credit for their assiduous attention to detail, there are also a whole host of handlers who are rarely courted by the media yet continue to thrive at a lower level. We take a look at a trio of trainers who go about their business in a hugely efficient manner, yet rarely find themselves in the spotlight.

Roger Fell 

Roger Fell has been involved in the sport since purchasing Arthington Barn Stables back in 2008 and although he only took out his license four years ago, his partnership with fellow trainer David O'Meara gave him the perfect grounding and experience required to make a success of going solo. One of his most notable successes in recent years is Burnt Sugar, who had seemingly lost his way for Richard Hannon. The eight-year-old enjoyed a hugely profitable 2018, taking the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket before following up in the Gigaset International Stakes. Although his class 2 competitors are few and far between, the trainer has been worth following in all-weather events over the last twelve months. 

Fell is a regular at Newcastle and Southwell and occasionally makes the trip south to Kempton and Lingfield. If today's racing results page features any of the UK all-weather tracks, it's highly likely that the Yorkshire-based trainer will feature prominently. He's operating at 12% in 3-year old events on artificial tracks, returning a profit of £64.38 to a £1 stake. Roger Fell is undoubtedly worth keeping a close eye on throughout the course of the season.

Admirality shrugs off a 197-day absence to win the Thirsk feature on his first start for trainer Roger Fell, with @benacurtis taking the winning ride pic.twitter.com/PnyfHvs22Z

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 18, 2019

Nicky Richards

Nicky Richards is synonymous with horse racing in the north of England, and is arguably one of the most underrated trainers in the UK. Based at Greystoke in Cumbria, the 64-year old rarely goes a week without firing in several winners. Over the last five years, he's been operating at 20% over larger obstacles, and if you'd bet £1 on each of his chasers during that period, you'd currently have a profit of around £40. The cunning handler has a fairly pragmatic approach to his runners, and his knack of finding the perfect race for his performers is admirable. Monet's Garden may be his most successful horse to date; however, punters who enjoy betting on class 3 and class 4 events will undoubtedly be familiar with some of his more recent representatives such as Caius Marcius and Takingrisks.

Olly Murphy 

Based in the beautiful countryside of Stratford-upon-Avon, Olly Murphy has quickly become one of the brightest training talents in the UK; although he may not quite be a household name just yet, he is surely destined for bigger and better things. He managed just six winners in 2019, but he has made a superb start to 2020 with Itchy Feet's victory in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase undoubtedly the highlight. Although the six-year-old wasn't able to land a blow at Cheltenham next time out, he is likely to come back stronger when the National Hunt season recommences later this year. Murphy also has a small clutch of flat performers with Krazy Paving recently proving a hit at Chelmsford City. At just 25 years old, the Warwickshire-based operator is one of the youngest handlers in the country, and he appears to be improving with every passing season.

ðŸﾏ‡ Having won his first Grade 1 at Sandown at the beginning of February with Itchy Feet, trainer Olly Murphy is heading to the 2020 Cheltenham Festival with his string in great form. pic.twitter.com/BfbZKuruHI

— Racing Post (@RacingPost) February 27, 2020

Dedicated fans of the sport may already be familiar with the likes of Nicky Richards, Olly Murphy and Roger Fell, but they rarely get the column inches that they deserve. This trio of savvy operators continue to go about their business surreptitiously, and their runners should always be taken extremely seriously. 

Best Horse Riding Boots: Tips on Finding the Perfect Pair

Horses have always been considered as one of the most useful animals around. They might not be as popular as dogs or cats, but they do tend to be meant for physical labor. There was a time when it was needed for most households to own at least one. 

Horses were the primary way of transportation if you ignore our own two feet. Attachments like carriages and carts have also been developed to take advantage of their speed, strength, and diligence. When it comes to their use in the battle or farm, nothing would ever beat these steeds. 

Here in Australia, there has been a resurgence in horse riding. There are a lot of factors that have led to this like racing, movies, and literature. More specifically, the Victorian government annually hosts the Melbourne Cup. This is a world-famous horse race that is being visited by millions of people from all over Australia and around the world. 

Although according to this article there have been some issues regarding caring for the thoroughbreds, this has not stopped these games. This is also one of the factors that had led to many people trying to ride horses. 

Riding or Get Ridden 

You might think that it is easy to ride a horse. After all, you just need to go astride its back and it would follow you, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case. It can be potentially dangerous to even go near one especially if he or she is not familiar to you. 

You might be familiar with the term “horsepower”, a measurement of power and electric currents. There is a reason for that: a horse kick can be quite fatal. There have been many cases of unfortunate would-be riders getting trampled or kicked by an unruly and untrusting horse. 

With the right guidance and training, you can surely be the equestrian that you want to be. There are rules and regulations that you need to follow through before you can become a full-fledged one. While you are just starting, it is important to have the best riding shoes or boots. You can use your sneaks and running shoes for this one, but it can be quite risky. 

For one, these riding shoes are specifically made for horse riding. It is equipped with a lot of functions that keep you safe and secure while you are above the animal. 

The Shoe that Fits

Choosing the best shoe can be a bit of a challenge. There are so many options to choose from, and the best horse riding boots Australia can offer might be different from what you want. Let us start with the material. The best boots are always made with pure leather. It might be expensive, but it will last longer than the synthetic ones out there. There are also a lot of challenges involved when it comes to cleaning it, so make sure that you know the proper ways. This ensures that it will still look good and fashionable even after a few years.

Another part of the boot that you need to check is the heels. It should be at least 2.5 to 4 cm high so that you can secure yourself on the stirrup. Anything that is lower than this can cause you to slip through and get stuck. If it is higher though, then you might get stuck on the stirrup itself. 

It should also fit your feet perfectly. This is to avoid any kind of injury while you are practicing your equestrian skills. Leather boots will shrink to your size just fine, but some of the synthetic materials can become quite tight after just a few hours of riding. They can end up being difficult to remove. Here are other ways that you can avoid accidents while riding: https://equimed.com/health-centers/general-care/articles/causes-of-horse-related-injuries-and-how-to-prevent-them.  

If you are going to work in a sheep station, you will need to have a pair of boots that can withstand both the heat and the rain. The Australian climate in the outback is as unforgiving as a scorned jillaroo. You must be ready for all of it, and having a good pair will be useful for many years to come. 

On the other hand, riding boots should also be of high quality. As mentioned before, there are a lot of dangers when riding a horse. You need to stay on top of that animal as long as possible while not being stuck as well. It can save your life if your boots fit you and its purpose. 

Being an equestrian, whether full or part-time, will always involve two main tasks. One is keeping yourself safe and the other is dealing with the horse. There are a lot of factors in taming or breaking a steed, and some of them are out of your control. The animal might not even like you, as horses are smarter than you think. However, keeping yourself relatively safe will be 90% on your hands. Preparing and having the right gear is always going to save your life.

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Why the Cheltenham Festival is a sporting occasion to savour

Some sporting events have a unique ability to capture the attention of the British public. Whether it’s the FA Cup in football, the Wimbledon Championships in tennis, or The Open in golf, some occasions cause us to stop what we’re doing and revel in the joys of sporting entertainment and excitement. The buzz of the crowd, the talent of our sporting heroes, and the aura of importance these events carry mean we can’t take our eyes off them for a second. 

Horse racing boasts a number of events with a similar appeal. Royal Ascot is a date many people put in their calendars each year, a chance to glam up and enjoy a classy day at the races. The Grand National is also a much-loved sporting occasion, where the public come together to watch the big race whether you’re a fan of horse racing or not. 

Another of these is, of course, the Cheltenham Festival. Taking place in March each year, the Festival attracts thousands of racing fans keen to soak up the unique atmosphere, witness the famous Cheltenham roar, and tip their favourite horses based on the Cheltenham Festival odds. What is it that makes the Festival such a great sporting occasion? We’ve listed a few reasons… 

The venue 

Cheltenham Racecourse at Prestbury Park is one of the best horse racing venues in the country. With the ability to host thousands of spectators, including the 6,500 capacity Princess Royal Stand, it’s one of the best places in the world to soak up the unique horse racing buzz and enjoy a day at the races with your friends. 

The Cheltenham roar is one of the most famous sporting atmospheres, and for the big races Prestbury Park seems to rock to its core, with everyone willing on their favourites towards victory. For the more discerning racing fan there are plenty of opportunities for fine dining and hospitality, meaning that there is something for every kind of visitor to the famous racecourse. 

The races 

Of course, it’s the races themselves that spectators flock to Cheltenham every year to see. Cheltenham has several showpiece Grade One races, including the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Ryanair Chase, the Stayers’ Hurdle, and of course, the Gold Cup. 

It’s the Gold Cup that always attracts most interest each year. As one of the most historic races in the horse racing calendar, there is always a huge buzz around who the favourites are and which horse can emulate legends like Best Mate and Kauto Star. 

Last year’s Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo earned over a whopping £350,000, so you can see why there is so much interest and intrigue around this famous old race. 

The personalities 

Cheltenham Festival always attracts the cream of the crop as far as horses, jockeys and trainers go. Legendary jockeys like Ruby Walsh and AP McCoy have graced the Prestbury Park turf, while trainers such as Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson are big characters and always good for a quote. 

Irishman Willie Mullins has been the most successful trainer at Cheltenham in recent years, and he’ll be hoping for another stellar meeting in 2020. With so much on the line, it’s no wonder why trainers and jockeys give so much effort to preparing their horses for Cheltenham, all in the hope of being victorious amidst the iconic roar of the Cheltenham crowd.