The Irish 1,000 Guineas (Sunday 27 May) is the second of the Irish Classics and is only open to three-year-old fillies. It was first run one year after the first running of the Irish 2,000 Guineas in 1922 and takes place over eight-furlongs at the Curragh. It has been won by some notable fillies including Sonic Lady, In The Groove, Kooyonga, Marling, Ridgewood Pearl, Attraction, Finsceal Beo, and last year’s winner Winter. However, some top-quality fillies have also been beaten in the race in recent seasons, including multiple Group 1 winners Minding and Found.
Irish 1,000 Guineas 10-Year-Trends
- Irish trained horses have won 8 of the last 10 renewals
- Aidan O’Brien has trained four of the last 10 winners
- Ryan Moore has ridden two of the last four winners
- Only three of the last 10 favourites have won
- SP’s have ranged for 8/13 to 16/1
Irish 1,000 Guineas 2018 Main Contenders
Happily
She finished third in the English 2,000 Guineas on her last run but, whilst that was disappointing after being sent-off favourite, she may have just found the ground on the fast side. The ground is unlikely to be quite as fast at the Curragh, which gives hope she’ll be able to repeat the form of her win in France last year where she was good enough to beat a subsequent Group 1 winner.
Soliloquy
Looked very good when winning her second and third starts over 7 furlongs but didn’t look as though she truly saw out the mile behind Happily in the English 1,000 Guineas. Her sire won the Irish 2,000 Guineas but she looks to have plenty to do to turn around the length she was beaten by Happily at Newmarket.
Clemmie
A possible second-string to Aidan O’Brien’s bow, and she won her last three starts as a two-year-old. All those wins were over six-furlongs, but her pedigree gives her every chance of staying the mile as she’s by Galileo.
Laurens
Second in the English 1,000 Guineas and it’s therefore a bit of a surprise to see her much bigger in the market than both Happily and Soliloquy. Therefore, the worry is that she might be a non-runner but, if she does run, she must have a great chance.
Who’s Steph
Made it a hat-trick of wins when winning the Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial last time and she comes into the race less exposed than many of her rivals. Not without a chance in what might not be a vintage year for one-mile fillies.
Irish 1,000 Guineas 2018 Summary
The Irish 1,000 Guineas often goes to a horse that isn’t overly fancied and, with the English 1,000 Guineas being won by a 66/1 chance, there’s reason to believe that form might not be that strong. Therefore, whilst Happily wouldn’t be a surprise winner for Aidan O’Brien, as he’s had a couple of short-priced misses in recent seasons, it could be worth siding each-way with a less exposed type like Who’s Steph.
Irish 1,000 Guineas 2018 Tip
Who’s Steph (each-way)
* Deposit £10 Play £30Sports & £20 Casino
New Customers Only. 18+. Min Deposit £10. Max sports bonus £20. 5x wagering to release sports bonus. Min odds 1.8 (4/5). £20 casino bonus added within 24 hours of first sports bet settled. 40x wagering to release casino bonus.
* New Customer Offer, T&C’s Apply, 18+. Please Gamble Responsibly. See details directly at Betbright.