New Zealand 2000 Guineas


The 2000 Guineas is a set-weights Thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run over a distance of 1600 m at Riccarton Park in Christchurch, New Zealand. As of 2019, it is held on the first day of Christchurch's famous New Zealand Cup Week, which is the Saturday following the Melbourne Cup in November.

History

Until 1973, both the New Zealand Oaks and the New Zealand Derby were run at Riccarton. When those races were moved to Trentham and Ellerslie respectively, Riccarton was awarded two new classic races, the New Zealand 1000 Guineas and the New Zealand 2000 Guineas over 1600m. These races are based on those of the same name in the United Kingdom, run at Newmarket in the first weekend in May.
Both races have quickly established themselves on the New Zealand calendar. Among the best recent winners of the 2000 Guineas are Turn Me Loose, Jimmy Choux, Katie Lee, Darci Brahma, King's Chapel and Veandercross. 2012 winner Sacred Falls went on to win Sydney's Doncaster Handicap in the autumn.
Jockey Opie Bosson has won the race a record seven times with Danske, Buzz Lightyear, King's Chapel, Katie Lee, Atlante, Turn Me Loose and Embellish.

Winners of the New Zealand 2000 Guineas