By George! Washington romps home in the Guineas
by PA Sport Staff (May 6)
GEORGE WASHINGTON won the Stan James 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket this afternoon for trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Kieren Fallon. The 6-4 favourite hit the front inside the final two furlongs and flew home for a two-and-a-half-length victory over Sir Percy (4-1). Olympian Odyssey was another length and a half back in third.
Fallon settled the son ofDanehill, who was a dual Group 1 winner as a juvenile, out the back in the early stages of the mile contest and waited until past halfway before making a move.
George Washington appeared on the premises on meeting the rising ground and readily went clear when seeing daylight.
Sir Percy boxed on well under Martin Dwyer but could not get on terms with the impressive winner, while Olympian Odyssey ran a fine race for Barry Hills having made most of the early running.
Fallon toldChannel 4 Racing: "I went a bit earlier than I wanted to. He's won so easy. I couldn't sit on him any longer. He's proved it today.
"He's got an electrifying turn of foot. He's done everything, he's a great horse all right."
George Washington had to be unsaddled in the pre-parade ring as refused to go into the winner's enclosure.
O'Brien, who had accompanied the horse to the start, said: "It was just when he came back in the crowd was all there and he just wanted to go back down again. We just weren't able to convince him to go in.
"He's a horse who's always thought he was so superior from the time he was born to his companions that he developed this attitude that he is absolutely different class to every other animal around. It's all part of hismake up. I don't have to say much about his ability.
"He's like a child who wants to do something and you want him to do something else and you are trying to tell him it's the right thing and the child gets confused about it. There was no point in meeting him head on and he'll do it the next day. He has a huge belief in himself.
"I didn't see the race but Kieren was over the moon with him that he got there in two strides. He just relaxed for him.
"This win is marvellous and a tribute to everybody who's had something to do with this horse."
William Hill make Sir Percy their new Vodafone Derby favourite at 4-1 and trainer Marcus Tregoning was quick to nominate Epsom on June 3 as the next big target.
"I would agree with the 4-1 for the Derby," he said.
"He looks like he is going to come out of this race fine and I imagine it would be the plan to go straight to the Derby but I'll have to discuss it with the owners."
Dwyer was impressed with the winner but is looking forward to the premier Classic.
"George Washington pulled out and quickened by me like an exceptional horse but my horse has got a very big future and he should be OK over the Derby trip."
Olympian Odyssey's rider Jamie Spencer said: "He ran well for an inexperienced horse. Ideally I didn't want to make it but there was no pace and my horse was up there and he's got plenty of stamina.
"Soft ground would be a big advantage to this horse but the winner looked exceptional."
Hills said: "I think the winner is a very, very good horse but Olympian Odyssey has run a great race. The ground was probably on the quick side for him.
"Hopefully the owner will let me go for the Derby with him now. I don't think Red Clubs stayed and Killybegs is probably not just quite up to it but I'd say it was a pretty good Guineas."
Jeremy Noseda, trainer of the fourth horse Araafa, said: "That was a solid run. I thought he'd run a solid race.
"I expected him to win the Free Handicap and then come here but unfortunately he had a little setback and I couldn't run him in the Free Handicap. But I decided to stick to the plan and come for the Guineas and his fourth place has shown that he warranted his place in the field.
"We'll have to have a look at something like the Heron Stakes for him next if he's OK after this because it was quite quick out there."
Well guys, I think this is another great success for American breeding, love to read what you think!
George Washington wins Brittish 2000 Guineas!!!!
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hi ZiaLand
Yes, the way I view him...Danehill MUST be considered a very rare and Exceptional sire...
...and while handing out accolades...I suggest let's give credit to Guineas winner George Washington's dam's sire...Alysheba.
With little fanfare, Alysheba daughters continue to prove that they can get TOP class racehorses...that can and have won at the Elite level...at racing venues around the globe.
Best to you.
Respectfully
ZiaLand wrote:Congrats George Washington. Danehill was truly one of the great sires.
Laurie
Yes, the way I view him...Danehill MUST be considered a very rare and Exceptional sire...
...and while handing out accolades...I suggest let's give credit to Guineas winner George Washington's dam's sire...Alysheba.
With little fanfare, Alysheba daughters continue to prove that they can get TOP class racehorses...that can and have won at the Elite level...at racing venues around the globe.
Best to you.
Respectfully