From Sceptre to Bosra Sham – 10 great winners of the QIPCO 1000 Guineas

1902 SCEPTRE

Trainer: Bob Sievier

Jockey: Herbert Randall

Owner: Bob Sievier

The only horse in history to win four classics. Gained her 1,000 Guineas triumph two days after winning the 2,000 Guineas; then landed the Oaks while most were still debating her unlucky fourth in the Derby (left at the start). St Leger glory followed, but only after running twice at both Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood beforehand.

1904 PRETTY POLLY

Trainer: Peter Gilpin

Jockey: Willie Lane

Owner: Eustace Loder

Unbeaten in nine starts as a two-year-old, she won her Guineas by three lengths in a record time, having started 1-4 favourite. Further victories followed that season in the Oaks, Coronation Stakes, Nassau Stakes, St Leger and Park Hill Stakes. By the time she was retired, as a five-year-old, she had won 22 of her 24 races. Went on to make a great impact as a broodmare.

1942 SUN CHARIOT

Trainer: Gordon Richards

Jockey: Fred Darling

Owner: HM King George VI

A leading two-year-old who carried the royal colours to victory in the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks and St Leger.  She completed her classic treble at the expense of Watling Street, the Derby winner. Beaten just once in her nine races, when she was betrayed by her quirky nature.

1955 MELD

Trainer: Cecil Boyd-Rochfort

Jockey: Harry Carr

Owner: Lady Zia Wernher

The bay was an emphatic winner of the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks but had less than a length to spare when landing the St Leger at the expense of the Lester Piggott-ridden Nucleus. Piggott objected but Meld kept the spoils. Meld, beaten just once in six starts, went on to prove a success at stud – her offspring including Charlottown, the Derby winner.

1959 PETIT ETOILE

Trainer: Noel Murless

Jockey: Doug Smith

Owner: Prince Aly Khan

Grey thrived as a three-year-old, winning all of her six races. Kept on stoutly to win the Guineas by a length at 8-1, then followed up easily in the Oaks under Lester Piggott at 11-2.

Capped a superb campaign with further victories in the Sussex Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks and Champion Stakes. As an older horse, she twice won the Coronation Cup.

1984 PEBBLES

Trainer: Clive Brittain

Jockey: Philip Robinson

Owner: Marcos Lemos

Nervy type but stacks of ability, as she showed when surging a three-length victory in the Guineas at 8-1. With a little help from her friend (a gelding called Come On The Blues frequently accompanied her), Pebbles went on to become the first filly to win the Eclipse; then made history again by becoming the first British-trained horse to win at the Breeders’ Cup, when successful in the Turf.

1985 OH SO SHARP

Trainer: Henry Cecil

Jockey: Steve Cauthen

Owner: Sheikh Mohammed

Unbeaten in three starts at two, she snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the Guineas – winning by two short heads from Al Bahathri and Bella Colora in a record time.  Followed up in the Oaks by six lengths and went on to land the St Leger, in the process becoming the first filly since Meld, 30 years earlier, to win the fillies’ Triple Crown.

1987 MIESQUE

Trainer: Francois Boutin

Jockey: Freddy Head

Owner: Stavros Niarchos

Became the first filly for 40 years to win the Guineas and its French equivalent. Won ten races at the top flight, overall, and created history with her back-to-back Breeders’ Cup triumphs before being a success as a broodmare. At Newmarket, she justified favouritism by producing a tremendous burst inside the final furlong to beat Milligram by a length and a half.

1990 SALSABIL

Trainer: John Dunlop

Jockey: Willie Crason

Owner: Hamdan Al Maktoum

A leading two-year-old, she won the Fred Darling on her return and then dug deep to win the Guineas, having been sent off 6-4 favourite in a field of ten. Romped home by five lengths in the Oaks before becoming the first filly for 90 years to win the Irish Derby. Also landed the Prix Vermeille but the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe proved a race too many..

1996 BOSRA SHAM

Trainer: Pat Eddery

Jockey: Kieren Fallon

Owner: Wafic Said

Unbeaten in the build-up to the Guineas but had to work hard to justify odds-on favouritism after suffering a bruised foot in the build-up. Came off second best against Markofesteem in a tremendous Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot (the winner formed part of Frankie Dettori’s magnificent seven) but confirmed her brilliance with a decisive defeat of Halling in the Champion Stakes three weeks later.