Native Trail leads charge for first Classic of the year

Newmarket’s Craven meeting is often considered to unearth clues leading up to the QIPCO Guineas Festival just two weeks later. In the modern day, the Craven Stakes can serve as a trial for the for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. However, only Haafhd (2004) trained by Barry Hills, was the last horse to win both races. Perhaps this year we will see another achieve that feat.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Native Trail continued his path to Classic glory with yet another impressive victory with a three-and-a-half length win in the Craven Stakes last week. He’ll have to take another step up forward if he’s to win the Classic, with the prospect of facing stiffer opposition, including stablemate Coroebus and the exciting Luxembourg.

It’s Showtime

Attention turns back to the turf, and what a year in prospect. We go into the season with some of the most exciting three-year-olds in training, as well as the return of some of last years champions; Baaeed, Trueshan, Creative Force, and Stradivarius to name just a few.

The QIPCO Guineas Festival signals the start of the QIPCO British Champions Series, the first two of 35 races held at ten racecourses across the 2022 season.

Click here to find out more about the Series.

More than just racing

It’s not just the racing we focus on throughout the year, and there’s plenty of exciting opportunities for you to get involved in, and if you’re at the QIPCO Guineas Festival, here’s what you can expect to see.

Hall of Fame

The QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame was launched in 2021, and immortalises the greats, equine and human, who have achieved remarkable things within horseracing since 1970. Frankel was the first of nine greats inducted into the Hall of Fame last year, with Her Majesty The Queen being the most recent.

This year we are inducting two new stars, and a presentation will take place at Newmarket Racecourse on QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day on Saturday 30th April.

Fan Zone

On arrival at The QIPCO Guineas Festival, you will see an array of activities in front of you, including the Fan Zone. Working in partnership with the British Racing School, Careers In Racing, The Pony Club, The Pony Racing Authority, Retraining of Racehorses, the Horse Welfare Board and National Racehorse Week, you have the opportunity to learn and get closer to the sport.

Here’s what we have lined up…

Jockey Hub

Ever wondered what it takes to become a jockey? Well, if so, you’re in luck as this is place for you. The Jockey Hub will be kitted out with equicizers and our jockey coaches, along with a famous jockey can give you a masterclass in how to ride.

Other activities in the Jockey Hub:
– Jockey masterclass
– Jockey signings
– A talk on how to get into pony racing
– Tack exhibition
– Welfare stand
– Kids Racecard
As well as all that, you could be in with a chance of winning a tour of Tweenhills by designing your own silks!

Meet The Racehorse

Join Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), British Horseracing’s official charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing. RoR will be talking all things veterinary practice in racing, and how to retrain a racehorse.

They will be joined by two globetrotting superstars, Prince Of Arran and Side Glance. Your opportunity to pat some of the equine stars in their new retirement.