Channel 4’s summer of Flat racing begins with the historic QIPCO Guineas Festival on the first weekend of May as the sport’s elite go head-to-head over the Rowley Mile.
A host of Europe’s top racehorses will compete at the historic Rowley Mile racecourse with owners, trainers and jockeys eying glory at the historic home of the sport as the two-day Guineas Festival launches the Flat season in earnest.
The two momentous days are a chance to enjoy Flat racing at its best with the first two Classics of the British season which also start the year-long QIPCO British Champions Series.
The QIPCO 2000 Guineas, for colts, will often bestow superstar status – past winners include Frankel, Camelot and Sea The Stars, whereas the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, for fillies, has included past winners such as Blue Bunting, Special Duty and Russian Rhythm.
First held in 1809, the 2000 Guineas is one of the oldest and most important races in the world and once again a stellar field lines up for the race on Saturday, May 3, as thousands of race-goers eagerly anticipate the first of the season’s Classic races.
Kingston Hill and War Command both won big races at The Rowley Mile on Dubai Future Champions Day and now these two equine stars are on schedule to go head-to-head in the 2000 Guineas.
There are more than a few others who will fancy their chances of emerging triumphant from the years first Classic.
Attention turns to the QIPCO 1000 Guineas on Sunday as the mile-long race for exceptional three-year-old fillies marks its 200th anniversary, having first been run in 1814.
A milestone year for the Classic looks sure to be celebrated with a brilliant winner and among the contenders are Rizeena and Vorda each of whom proved themselves top-class in 2013.
This fabulous weekend of horse racing is always compelling and always stylish and race-goers come from near and far to savour two of the most eagerly-anticipated afternoons in the racing calendar.
The QIPCO Guinease Festival kicks off a top class summer of Flat racing on Channel 4 with the Investec Derby Festival and Royal Ascot just around the corner.
Over 170 hours of terrestrial coverage will be screened during the Flat racing season, while afternoon racing will continue to benefit from a two and a half hour broadcast slot taking in from six to eight high quality and competitive races every Saturday.
Channel 4 will screen live coverage of both days of the 2014 QIPCO Guineas Festival meeting, the first high-profile Flat meeting of the season.
Clare Balding presents Channel 4 Racing’s live programmes on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, featuring the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas respectively, alongside co-presenter Nick Luck.
Race commentary comes from Simon Holt, while analysis from the Channel 4 studio comes courtesy of Jim McGrath and Graham Cunningham.
Tanya Stevenson will relay all the latest news from the betting ring for armchair punters, while Emma Spencer and Rishi Persad will provide roving reports and interviews from around the course.
Alongside four races each day from Newmarket, Channel 4 will also feature two further live races from Goodwood on Saturday and one race from Salisbury on Sunday afternoon.
All the latest news, features and build-up to the Guineas Festival, as well as up-to-the-minute racecards and results, can be found via the Channel 4 Racing website –channel4.com/racing.
Live streaming of Channel 4 Racing’s coverage is also available via the Channel 4 website.
Racing UK will have live coverage of all seven races on the Newmarket card on both Saturday on Sunday. Visit the Racing UK website for further details on how to subscribe.
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Saturday 3rd May
QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS DAY
The Morning Line: 8.00am-9.00am Channel 4
LIVE: 1.40pm-4.10pm Channel 4
The Channel 4 Racing team are on the Rowley Mile with all the drama and excitement of the 2,000 Guineas.
Can the impressive Greenham winner Kingman match Frankel’s exploits in the same colours, or will last year’s champion Toormore give Richard Hannon Jr a flying start as a trainer?
C4 Race Card 2:05 NMK Qatar Racing Suffolk Stakes2:20 GOO Betfred £5 Million Scoop6 Today EBF Stallions Daisy Warwick Stakes 2:40 NMK Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes
2:55 GOO Play £5 Million Scoop6 At totepool.com Stakes
3:10 NMK Qatar Bloodstock Jockey Club Stakes
3:50 NMK QIPCO 2000 Guineas Stakes
Sunday 4th May
QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS DAY
LIVE: 1.40pm-4.10pm Channel 4
Clare Balding and Nick Luck present all the intrigue and excitement as the 1000 Guineas is run on the Rowley Mile.
Newmarket veteran Clive Brittain is hoping that Rizeena will give him his third win exactly 30 years after his first with the great Pebbles.
C4 Race Card 2:00 NMK Qipco Supporting British Racing Stakes2:30 SAL Betfred City Bowl Handicap
3:05 NMK Qatar Bloodstock Dahlia Stakes 3:40 NMK Havana Gold At Tweenhills Handicap
4:15 NMK Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes
