For nearly 400 years, thoroughbreds have been tested against each other on Newmarket Heath. In 1809, the first 2,000 Guineas was run, followed five years later by the introduction of the 1,000 Guineas. These Classics are still thriving two centuries later and the first weekend of May sees this year's hopefuls set foot on the same straight mile that has played host to hundreds of champions in that time.
As is fitting for such an occasion, the runners in the 2010 Guineas are among the best bred in the land. Among the line-ups are colts and fillies by Darley stallions standing around the world.
Dubawi (pictured), who landed his own Classic in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, is represented by three first-crop colts in the entries for Newmarket. His unbeaten son Makfi, winner of the G3 Prix Djebel on his most recent start, looks set to make the trip from Chantilly to aim to win a first Classic for his young trainer Mikel Delzangles. His paternal half-brother Dubawi Phantom has already been tested on the Rowley Mile this season when running a strong fourth in the G3 Craven Stakes on 15 April. A winner at Epsom last season and G3-placed at two, he is another to represent a budding young trainer, hailing from David Simcock's Trillium Place Stable less than half a mile from the racecourse.
Completing the trio of Dubawi colts is Poet's Voice, who was a G2 winner as a juvenile and is one of Godolphin's main hopes, along with Al Zir, a fine-looking son of Medaglia d'Oro, who is about to shuttle from Kentucky to the Hunter Valley. The American-bred colt won twice last season before finishing third in the G1 Racing Post Trophy.
Arguably the best performance in any of the formal trials in Britain this season was posted by Elusive Pimpernel, the four-length winner of the Craven Stakes and a handsome near-black colt by Elusive Quality. He also boasts rock-solid juvenile form, having won the G3 Acomb Stakes and being beaten just once when runner-up in the Racing Post Trophy.
Football manager Harry Redknapp will be hoping that his Arry's Orse, by Exceed And Excel and a winner earlier this year, will have what it takes to put his name in lights in the sport of horseracing, while Greyfriarschorista, who was beaten just a nose in the Listed Spring Cup in March and has won three times in 2010, bids to follow in the hoofprints of his own sire, King's Best, who won the 2,000 Guineas in 2000. The Haras du Logis-based stallion also has some highly regarded runners in the later-season Classics, notably Simon de Montfort in France and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Workforce in the Derby.
If Habaayib and Hibaayeb both line up for the 1,000 Guineas as intended they will certainly give the race caller a headache but the daughters of Royal Applause and Singspiel are both highly worthy contenders.
Hibaayeb became Singspiel's third G1 winner of 2009 when winning the Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile while Habaayib advertised her ability earlier in her juvenile season with success at Royal Ascot in the G3 Albany Stakes. The daughter of Royal Applause recently finished runner-up to Puff in the G3 Fred Darling Stakes.
Flying the flag for America could be Gold Bubbles, an Irish-trained filly by Street Cry, who also has the Irish 1,000 Guineas pencilled in her diary for the coming weeks.
