2,000 Guineas – five of the best

The wait goes on to see whether Pinatubo, last season’s outstanding juvenile, will warrant a place on the list below with this year’s 2,000 Guineas postponed due to the coronavirus but here are five of the best winners of the early-season Classic.

Nijinsky – 1970

One of the all-time greats, Nijinsky built on his exemplary two-year-old campaign to run out a convincing winner of the race in 1970 and galloping his way into the history books.

His Newmarket triumph was effortless, with him taking control two out and extending to win comfortably at the line.

Nijinsky confirmed himself somethin special by becoming the first horse in 35 years to land the Triple Crown, something which hasn’t been done since.

Dancing Brave – 1986

His emphatic Guineas victory in 1986 helped establish Dancing Brave’s reputation as one of the greatest thoroughbreds to have raced in Europe.

A shade unlucky to lose his unbeaten record in the Derby, Dancing Brave went on to write his name into racing folklore when landing a vintage renewal of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the autumn.

George Washington – 2006

He looked a sensational prospect at two and answered any questions about his temperament by blowing his Guineas rivals away.

Though a bit difficult in the saddling area before the race, George Washington came alive in the race, travelling supremely well into contention before putting the race to bed in a matter of strides.

He may not have gone on to achieve what others on this list did but his Guineas performance is one that will live long in the memory.

Sea The Stars – 2009

The 2009 running appeared to lack a true star on paper, with only one previous Group 1 winner in the line-up, but Sea The Stars ensured the race stood up to scrutiny.

Bred to win a Derby, Sea The Stars displayed enough class to win a Guineas before fulfilling his potential over further and ending his campaign as the undisputed champion of his generation.

After his Guineas victory, Sea The Stars landed a Derby, Eclipse, International Stakes. Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. A fantastic racehorse.

Frankel – 2011

The best of the best. Unbeaten in 14 career starts, it’s Frankel’s runaway Guineas triumph which he is probably best remembered for.

Having blasted off at what appeared to be an unsustainable pace, it quickly became apparent that Frankel had his rivals burned off at the two-furlong marker and nothing would be able to reel him in.

This resulted in the Newmarket crowd bursting into applause with Frankel over a furlong from the winning line, which is unlikely to happen again in a Classic. Frankel was sublime, simply one of a kind.