2000 Guineas

Johnny Murtagh steered Aidan O’Brien’s Henrythenavigator to victory at the 2000 Guineas as he wiped the floor with long-time favourite New Approach in the 200th running of the stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The historic running of the colts’ Classic attracted a high-class field and the hitherto unbeaten New Approach set to out make all from his handy draw in stall two. Last year’s 2000 Guineas champion European 2-year old bossed his 14 rivals from the front and the 11-8 market leader soon had plenty at full stretch. His rider Kevin Manning got to work entering the final furlong of the mile event but Murtagh was giving chase in behind on the Coventry Stakes winner.

The Ballydoyle raider had been ridden with supreme confidence and motored when Murtagh pressed the button to cut through the field and lay it down to New Approach inside the distance. The 11-1 chance soon led and while Jim Bolger’s flashy chestnut fought back, Henrythenavigator had done enough and held on by a nose, providing O’Brien with his fifth win in the race and Murtagh his second.

Another Irish horse, the 11-8 favorite New Approach, was second and 100-1 shot Stubbs Art was third, four lengths further back.

“Johnny gave him a masterful ride and played him to all of his strengths,” Henrythenavigator’s trainer Aidan O’Brien said. “He is a real fast miler with loads of sprinting speed.”