THE HOME OF HORSERACING SWAPS THE GUINEAS FOR GUINEA PIGS
TUESDAY 30th APRIL - Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse, home to the world famous QIPCO 2000 and 1000 Guineas, has staged a first in its 353-year history – a race for GUINEA PIGS.
Renowned as the ‘Home of Horseracing’, Newmarket and The Jockey Club swapped Thoroughbreds for household pets as part of a tongue-in-cheek film to help educate racegoers on the origins of its two best known races.
First run in 1809 and 1814 respectively the 2000 and 1000 Guineas are the first two Group 1 Flat races each season and the first two of the five ‘Classics’ run in each calendar year.
The races themselves get their name from the prize money originally offered to the winning horses, with one Guinea – a currency which was replaced by the pound in 1816 - equalling around £1.05. Today, however, the winners of the 2000 and 1000 Guineas take home more than £280,000 each.
Three-year-old colts contest the 2000 Guineas while fillies the same age take part in the 1000. Horses which compete in the two races often go on to run in the Investec Derby (for colts) or the Investec Oaks (for fillies) four weeks later at Epsom Downs Racecourse.
On this occasion Newmarket’s groundstaff team and the sport’s governing body, the British Horseracing Authority, allowed seven guinea pigs – all named after famous racehorses – to ‘run’ over two metres (rather than a mile) on the Rowley Mile’s official racing surface.
It was Too Darn Soft who ran out the winner, narrowly holding off Squeaking Lion in second and Rodent Dendron in third.
Each guinea pig wore bespoke ‘silks’ for the big race, with ITV Racing commentator Richard Hoiles calling them home. The action was captured for a special promotional film shot for Newmarket Racecourses, with presenters Ed Chamberlin and Derek ‘Tommo’ Thompson hosting the mock coverage which can be seen on social media and The Jockey Club’s website.
