Racing Centre

A HOST of racing’s heroes assembled at The NatWest Rowley Mile yesterday as Newmarket Racecourses celebrated the 200^th running of 2000 Guineas, sponsored by StanJamesUK.

Lester Piggott, a seven-time winner of the race and Sir Michael Stoute, the winning-most trainer of the mile Classic, were in attendance as were other legends from the sport such as Henry Cecil, Joe Mercer, Geoff Huffer and Jimmy Lindley.

The 100-strong gathering - including leading media figures – enjoyed a fabulous lunch in the Millennium Suite before footage of many of the race’s great champions was shown.

Newmarket’s Managing Director Stephen Wallis spoke about the heritage and history surrounding the heritage and history of the stanjamesuk.com 2000 Guineas.

Then Nick Luck hosted a series of interviews that reflected on past triumphs and also looked forward to the 200^th running, which takes place on Saturday May 3.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien and Godolphin’s Simon Crisford both gave telephone link-up interviews, while a pre-recorded feature with Australian Ron Hutchison, the oldest surviving 2000 Guineas-winning jockey, delighted guests.