As ever, the Cheltenham, Aintree, and Punchestown Festivals have dominated the springtime months for racing fans. Whilst the last of that trio rumbles on into the weekend, the curtain came down on the domestic National Hunt campaign with the Finale Meeting at Sandown on Saturday afternoon. As April turns to May, the time has come to turn our attention exclusively to the flat action.
With the Lincoln and Craven Meetings already in the books for another year, this week sees the entertainment move up a notch with the opening Classic fixture of 2025. Newmarket provides the stage for the latest crop of three-year-old milers hoping to etch their names into the history books with a 1000 or 2000 Guineas success.
Kicking off on Friday, 2nd of May, and concluding on Sunday, 4th of May, the 2025 edition of the Betfred Guineas Festival lays on no fewer than 23 contests for our punting pleasure, including nine events rated at Listed level or above.
Saturday’s 2000 Guineas and the 1000 Guineas on Sunday afternoon are the clear headline acts, as the cream of the three-year-old division tackles the famous Rowley Mile. Who will add their name to the list of Newmarket Classic winners in 2025?
The feature events will hog most of the headlines, but here we look back at all results of the past ten editions of this meeting, highlight the trainers, jockeys, and sires who have fared best, and pick out our best trends-based bets for 2025.
Top Five Trainers
Charlie Appleby and the boys in blue of Godolphin led the way in our ten-year sample with twice as many winners as any other trainer. Half of Appleby’s wins came at Listed level or above, including two Group 1 wins. The Newmarket handler did particularly well in the 3yo only events, with 13 of his 22 wins coming in that category. 15 wins came at 7f-1m2f, two at 1m4f, and five in sprint events.
John Gosden (now John & Thady Gosden) picked up eight wins at Listed level and 10 in three-year-old events. All eleven wins came at 7f-1m2f.
Aidan O’Brien was the man to follow in the biggest events, with all eleven wins at Group 2 level or above, including an impressive nine Group 1s. Nine of eleven wins came in either the 1000 or 2000 Guineas.
Richard Hannon fared best over sprint and middle-distance trips, with two wins at 5f-6f, five at 7f-1m, and two at 1m2f. Eight wins came in three-year-old-only events, four were in handicaps, and four were at Listed level or above.
Five of Andrew Balding’s wins came in Handicap events, with half in races for runners aged four and older.
2025 Entries
Charlie Appleby:
Silent Love (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
Hallasan (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Symbol Of Honour (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Anno Domini (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Secret Theory (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Alpin Trail (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
Wild Nature (Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
Spectacular View ( Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
Silver Knott (Betfred Jockey Club Stakes)
Arabian Light (Betfred Suffolk Stakes)
Shadow Of Light (Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes)
Ruling Court (Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes)
El Cordobes (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
Cinderella’s Dream (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
Beautiful Love (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
Desert Flower (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
Twilight Star (Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes)
Silent Applause (Tattersalls Online £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes)
Rising Power (Tattersalls Online £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes)
Wise Approach (Tattersalls Online £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes)
Watching Stars (Nyetimber Handicap)
Alpine Trail (Nyetimber Handicap)
John & Thady Gosden:
Just Keep Flying (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
Understudy (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
Zaltana (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
Zivah (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
Chancellor (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Ernst Blofeld (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
Nebras (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
Devil’s Advocate (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
Orne (Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap)
Field Of Gold (Betfred 2000 Guineas)
French Master (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
Sand Gazelle (Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes)
Life Is Beautiful (Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes)
Running Lion (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
Aidan O’Brien:
Officer (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Camille Pissarro (Betfred 2000 Guineas)
Henri Matisse (Betfred 2000 Guineas)
Serengeti (Betfred 2000 Guineas)
Twain (Betfred 2000 Guineas)
Expanded (Betfred 2000 Guineas)
Merrily (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
Bedtime Story (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
Exactly (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
Lake Victoria (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
True Love (Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes)
First Approach (Tattersalls Online £40,000 Novice Stakes)
Richard Hannon:
Stem (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
Best Rate (Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
Local Hero (Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap)
Circe (Oddschecker Fillies’ Handicap)
Zip It Up (Oddschecker Fillies’ Handicap)
Aramram (Betfred Handicap)
Houstonn (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
Local Hero (Nyetimber Handicap)
Mr Baloo (Nyetimber Handicap)
Tahalel (Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes)
Slay Queen (Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes)
Harry’s Girl (Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes)
French Affair (Tattersalls Online £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes)
Arjack (Tattersalls Online £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes)
Andrew Balding:
Zgharta (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
Marvelman (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Big Sip (Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
Miss Information (Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap)
Bellum Justum (Betfred Jockey Club Stakes)
Divina Grace (Betfred Jockey Club Stakes)
Flora Of Bermuda (Oddschecker British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes)
Purosangue (Betfred Handicap)
Fox Legacy (Betfred Suffolk Stakes)
Tropical Storm (Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Palace Stakes)
Jonquil (Betfred 2000 Guineas)
Wild Waves (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
Lieber Power (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
White Crown Star (Aston Martin “Confined” Handicap)
Secret Satire (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
Wild Waves (Betfred Handicap)
Contacto (Betfred Handicap)
Remaat (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
General Admission (Nyetimber Handicap)
Top Jockeys
Godolphin number one, William Buick, was the most successful individual amongst trainers or jockeys, with an excellent 24 wins between 2014 and 2024. Buick rode all bar one of the Appleby-trained winners, two for Charles Hills and one for Sir Michael Stoute. Buick scored six times over 5f-6f, 16 times at 7f-1m2f, and twice at 1m4f. Twelve wins were in handicaps and 11 at Listed level or above.
Ryan Moore rode winners for eight different trainers, including six successes for his main employer, Aidan O’Brien. 11 of Moore’s wins came at Listed level or above, including five Group 1 events. 11 wins were over 7f-1m2f.
Six of Oisin Murphy’s eight wins were in three-year-old-only events. Four came in handicaps, and four were at Listed level or above. Six of his eight wins were in races over 1m to 1m2f.
Six of James Doyle’s eight wins came over 7f-1m2f. Five were in three-year-old-only events, and five were at Listed level or above. His wins came for eight different trainers.
Five of Silvestre De Sousa’s seven wins came in handicap events. Four were in races for runners aged four and older, and three came in 1m4f contests.
All six of Frankie Dettori’s wins were in 1m-1m2f events at Listed level or above. Of course, Frankie is now riding in the US.
2025 Booked Rides
William Buick:
Silent Love (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
Symbol Of Honour (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Alpine Trail (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
Wild Nature (Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
Jumby (Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap)
Silver Knott (Betfred Jockey Club Stakes)
Rosy Affair (Oddschecker Fillies’ Handicap)
Nighteyes (Oddschecker British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes)
Arabian Light (Betfred Suffolk Stakes)
El Cordobes (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
Defence Minister (TrustATrader Handicap)
Crack Shot (Nyetimber Handicap)
Cinderella’s Dream (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
Desert Flower (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
Twilight Star (Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes)
Watching Stars (Nyetimber Handicap)
Alpine Trail (Nyetimber Handicap)
Ryan Moore:
Mahogany Bay (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
Stem (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
Spectacular View (Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
Local Hero (Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap)
Circe (Oddschecker Fillies’ Handicap)
Celandine (Oddschecker British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes)
Hand Of God (Betfred Suffolk Stakes)
No Half Measures (Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Palace House Stakes)
The Dragon King (TrustATrader Handicap)
Rockin’ The Boat (Aston Martin “Confined” Handicap)
Sterling Knight (Nyetimber Handicap)
Beautiful Love (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
Oisin Murphy:
Understudy (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
Cosmic Year (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Big Sip (Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
Miss Information (Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap)
Bellum Justum (Betfred Jockey Club Stakes)
Flora Of Bermuda (Oddschecker British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes)
Purosangue (Betfred Handicap)
Fox Legacy (Betfred Suffolk Stakes)
Tropical Storm (Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Palace House Stakes)
Wild Waves (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
Lieber Power (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
White Crown Star (Aston Martin “Confined” Handicap)
He’s A Gentleman (Nyetimber Handicap)
Janey Mackers (Betfred Pretty Polly Stales)
Running Lion (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
Wild Waves (Betfred Handicap)
Contacto (Betfred Handicap)
Flight (Betfred 1000 Guineas Stakes)
James Doyle:
No booked rides. (out through injury)
Silvestre De Sousa:
Adaay In Devon (Oddschecker British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes)
Two Tribes (Betfred Handicap)
Tornado Alert (Betfred 2000 Guineas)
American Style (TrustATrader Handicap)
Gilet (Aston Marin “Confined” Handicap)
Rhythm Master (Nyetimber Handicap)
Elmalka (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
Moira Express (Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes)
Sires To Note
The two most successful stallions of the 21st century lead the way, with Dubawi pipping Galileo to the top spot. Eight of Dubawi’s 11 wins came at 7f-1m2f, six were at Listed level or above, and six came in three-year-old-only events.
Eight of Galileo’s nine wins came at Group 2 level or above, including six Group 1 triumphs in the 1000 and 2000 Guineas. Seven of nine wins were in three-year-old-only events.
Six of Frankel’s eight wins were at Listed level or above, and seven were at 1m-1m4f.
Six of Kingman’s seven wins were at 7f-1m2f, four came in three-year-old-only events, and four were in handicaps.
Oasis Dream struck four times at 5f-7f and five times in handicaps.
All five of Teofilo’s wins were at 1m1f+.
Four of Lope De Vega’s five wins were at 1m1f+, and three came in handicaps.
2025 Entries
Dubawi:
Silent Love (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
Zaltana (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
Officer (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Secret Theory (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Nebras (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
Alpine Trail (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
Elwateen (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
Alpine Trail (Nyetimber Handicap)
Galileo:
Artistic Star (Betfred Handicap)
Frankel:
Ernst Blofeld (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
Brave Mission (Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
El Cordobes (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
French Master (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
Sand Gazelle (Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes)
Bedtime Story (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
Exactly (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
Lake Victoria (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
Red Letter (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
Kingman:
Chancellor (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Cosmic Year (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
Wild Nature (Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
Physique (Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap)
Celandine (Oddschecker EBF Ellen Challoner Stakes)
Stanage (Betfred Handicap)
Born Ruler (Betfred Suffolk Stakes)
Arabian Light (Betfred Suffolk Stakes)
Field Of Gold (Betfred 2000 Guineas)
Cosmic Year (Betfred 2000 Guineas)
Mafnood (Nyetimber Handicap)
Al Rufaa (Nyetimber Handicap)
Crack Shot (Nyetimber Handicap)
Elmalka (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
Oasis Dream:
Uncle Don (TrustATrader Handicap)
Teofilo:
Merchant (Nyetimber Handicap)
Lope De Vega:
Silver Knott (Betfred Jockey Club Stakes)
Shadow Of Light (Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes)
Jonquil (Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes)
Chantilly Lace (Betfred 1000 Guineas Stakes)
Three To Back for Trends Fans
When looking through the entries for the 2025 edition of the meeting, the following seven runners tick the trainer, jockey, and sire boxes.
- Alpine Trail (Nyetimber Handicap)
- Alpine Trail (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
- Arabian Light (Betfred Suffolk Stakes)
- El Cordobes (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
- Silent Love (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
- Silver Knott (Betfred Jockey Club Stakes)
- Wild Nature (Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
The following earn a tick in the trainer and jockey column.
- Beautiful Love (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
- Bellum Justum (Betfred Jockey Club Stakes)
- Big Sip (Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
- Cinderella’s Dream (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
- Circe (Oddschecker Fillies’ Handicap)
- Contacto (Betfred Handicap)
- Desert Flower (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
- Flora Of Bermuda (Oddschecker British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes)
- Fox Legacy (Betfred Suffolk Stakes)
- Lieber Power (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
- Local Hero (Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap)
- Miss Information (Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap)
- Purosangue (Betfred Handicap)
- Running Lion (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
- Spectacular View (Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap)
- Stem (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
- Symbol Of Honour (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
- Tropical Storm (Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Palace House Stakes)
- Twilight Star (Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes)
- Understudy (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
- Watching Stars (Nyetimber Handicap)
- White Crown Star (Aston Martin “Confined” Handicap)
- Wild Waves (Betfred Handicap)
- Wild Waves (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
The following are shortlisted due to their trainer and sire:
- Bedtime Story (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
- Chancellor (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
- Ernst Blofeld (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
- Exactly (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
- Field Of Gold (Betfred 2000 Guineas)
- French Master (Lay And Wheeler Handicap)
- Jonquil (Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes)
- Lake Victoria (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
- Nebras (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
- Officer (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
- Sand Gazelle (Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes)
- Secret Theory (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
- Shadow Of Light (Betfred 2000 Guineas Stakes)
- Zaltana (Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes)
And the following earn a tick in the jockey and sire box.
- Celandine (Oddschecker British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes)
- Cosmic Year (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
- Crack Shot (Nyetimber Handicap)
- Elmalka (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
A good selection of the runners in our final lists are well worth a second look in the betting. However, the following strike us as being the best fit for the type of race their trainer/jockey/sire tends to do well in at this meeting:
- Alpine Trail (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
- Beautiful Love (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
- Cinderella’s Dream (Betfred Dahlia Stakes)
- Contacto (Betfred Handicap)
- Desert Flower (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
- Symbol Of Honour (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
- Bedtime Story (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
- Ernst Blofeld (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
- Exactly (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
- Lake Victoria (Betfred 1000 Guineas)
- Nebras (TrustATrader Newmarket Stakes)
- Sand Gazelle (Betfred Pretty Polly Stakes)
- Secret Theory (Nyetimber King Charles II Stakes)
As the only three out of three qualifier on our final shortlist, Alpine Trail automatically makes the staking plan. Elsewhere, we have looked to avoid races with more than one qualifier at this stage, to produce the following early bets for this year's meeting.
Recommended Bet: Alpine Trail to win @ Best Morning Price (Friday 2:20)
Recommended Bet: Contacto to win @ 3/1 with Betfred (Sunday 2:55)
Recommended Bet: Sand Gazelle to win @ Best Morning Price (Sunday 1:45)
Paul Harrison
Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.
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