Ten fillies tackle the Rowley Mile for the 1000 Guineas of 2025 on Sunday, 4 May at Newmarket. It’s the last of four races broadcast on ITV from Headquarters on the card as the Guineas Festival comes to a close.
Supporting races include the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes for older females and a Heritage Handicap for stayers. There is also the Pretty Polly Stakes for Oaks hopefuls, not to be confused with a top-level race run in Ireland at the end of June with the same name.
Newmarket is the home of British Flat horse racing, so expect to see some beautifully bred fillies turn out on the track. Handling the Rowley Mile is easier said than done, however, and the undulations of the course can unbalance runners.
This should be a consideration for punters when wagering on horse racing betting sites for the fillies only Classic and other races on the card. Our experts take a look at those four ITV Racing events for you now, so read their thoughts on the most interesting runners below.
1000 Guineas 2025 Preview for Sunday, 4 May
1:45 – Listed 1m 2f Pretty Polly Stakes
A tricky opener. JANEY MACKERS and TRAD JAZZ have more substance to their form than most. The former has this sounder surface as an unknown and the latter hasn’t raced on turf, yet both have potential. Similar comments apply to others, meanwhile.
Once-raced Falakeyah could be anything for Owen Burrows and the Gosden pair both look interesting. Although the market prefers Sand Gazelle, another who only has All-Weather experience, Life Is Beautiful could come on for her reappearance.
More exposed runners Anna Swan and Qiln Queen appeal less. Ralph Beckett pitches Likealot straight in at Listed level after one run like Falakeyah. Only time will tell if an Oaks filly emerges from this bunch with many more trials still to come.
2:20 – 1m 1f Group 2 Dahlia Stakes
According to the official handicapping assessment, Cinderella’s Dream is just 1lb better than fellow Charlie Appleby filly Beautiful Love. On two occasions abroad, however, William Buick’s mount has beaten her owner-stable companion.
Elmalka shone here last year when pulling off a shock in the Guineas. Provided she has trained on, this nine-furlong trip could be optimum for her. The others have less going for them with both 2024 runner-up Running Lion and Secret Satire very in and out performers.
2:55 – 1m 6f Heritage Handicap
Liam Swagger remains unbeaten over hurdle after winning the Weatherbys https://t.co/YbG890YJqR Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle, battling all the way to the finish, as @samtwiston and @JPOwenRacing team up again 🏇 pic.twitter.com/3U97bgdPs1
— Wetherby Racecourse (@WetherbyRaces) November 1, 2024
Liam Swagger landed a Listed juvenile hurdle at Wetherby in the autumn and later ran third in the Fred Winter. With that fruitful jumping campaign behind him and only 8st 8lb to carry now, he appeals most for the big handicap on the 1000 Guineas 2025 card.
Of the revised terms from their Ebor encounter, Oneforthegutter should every chance of turning the tables with Kihavah. Ian Williams’ charge lacks a recent run, however, but can’t be ruled out via a strict interpretation of handicapping.
Charlie Johnston pair Align The Stars and Knightswood, declared for a race on Saturday at this meeting, could go well if turning up and producing their best form. Wild Waves, meanwhile, may have blown his handicap mark for finishing a relative close sixth in the St Leger.
3:55 – 1m Group 1 1000 Guineas 2025
If LAKE VICTORIA reproduces her juvenile form, then she wins the big race. Aidan O’Brien has an unbeaten, versatile and likeable filly who won at the highest level over three different trips in the autumn. Lake Victoria landed the Moyglare Stud on home soil, then dropped back for Cheveley Park Stakes success here.
Everything that could go wrong at the Breeders’ Cup did afterwards, yet she still prevailed. Lake Victoria has a big rival in fellow undefeated filly Desert Flower. Appleby’s charge rounded off her campaign with Fillies’ Mile success here over course and distance.
Of the others, Ger Lyons’ Red Letter represents Juddmonte, but his Newmarket record isn’t great. Connections of Fred Darling winner Duty First supplemented her for this, meanwhile, but don’t discount re-opposing runner-up Hey Boo outrunning her odds.
Olly Sangster runs two, but Simmering wants softer ground and might be more of a French Guineas type. Flight, like a few of these, has something to find with Desert Flower. Beckett throws Chantilly Lace in to a Classic after one run.
Saeed bin Suroor does likewise with Elwateen, so both are harder to assess. Keeping on Nell Gwyn third Remaat completes the line-up for Andrew Balding, whose yard needs to show some form. On paper, it is almost a two-horse race.
