The Andrew Balding-trained and Frankie Dettori-ridden Chaldean was the star of the show at Newmarket after romping away with the first English Classic of the season – the 2000 Guineas.
Chaldean Wins 2000 Guineas in Style as Auguste Rodin Bombs Out
With Frankie Dettori riding in his farewell season, it was the last time Newmarket racegoers were going to see the pocket Italian in action in the 2000 Guineas – a race he’d won three times in the past.
But when it comes to re-writing the script and creating horse racing history – Frankie Dettori is the go-to man – and he didn’t disappoint in the opening English Classic of the season.
He partnered the Andrew Balding-trained Chaldean, who was sent off as the 7/2 second favourite, and eventually won by 1 3/4 after wearing down the rank 125/1 outsider Hi Royal, with Royal Scotsman in third. It was this son of Frankel’s fifth win from this last six starts.
The standard ‘Frankie flying dismount’ followed.
The two fancied Aidan O’Brien runners Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear running well below par in 12th and 14th (watch below), with jockey Ryan Moore, who rode the first-named, stating the horse was ‘never travelling’.
Next Stop Royal Ascot?
The best UK horse racing bookmakers reacted by shortening Chaldean into 4/5 favourite for the St James’s Palace Stakes on June 20th at Royal Ascot.
Chaldean had left Frankie with egg on his face only two weeks ago when unshipping Dettori as the gates opened in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on April 22nd.
However, prior to that freak incident, the Andrew Balding Frankel colt had won four times – including the Dewhurst Stakes last October, also at HQ.
A Great Ride From Frankie
With Andrew Balding having a few concerns about the softer ground, Frankie used all his experience to nurse Chaldean into the race, which was his first time beyond 7f.
Balding told the racing press. “I was a little bit worried about the ground as it obviously makes it a bit more of a test, but he’s got everything – and what a fabulous ride.
“There’s no such thing as an armchair ride and to get the fractions that good and timing just perfect is why he’s been such a star”
It was a fourth 2000 Guineas win for Dettori, who first won the Newmarket Classic in 1996 on Godolphin’s Mark Of Esteem and followed up in 1999 with Island Sands and more recently in 2016 with Galileo Gold.
An emotional Dettori after the race told the Racing Post: “I had him in a good spot and when I got to the top of the hill, Oisin [on Hi Royal] kicked on and he gave me a good fight, but once I got clear of him it was all over and I was able to enjoy it.
“I kept an eye on my left to see if the Coolmore horses were coming, but there was plenty of daylight and it was such a surreal moment. I was thinking ‘I hope I don’t wake up!'”
A Second 2000 Guineas Win In Four Years For Trainer Andrew Balding
Chaldean was also providing trainer Andrew Balding with his second winner of the 2000 Guineas in the last four years, after taking the prize in 2020 with Kameko.
Chaldean Was Following In His Father’s Footsteps
The mighty Frankel won the 2000 Guineas in 2011 and with Chaldean being sired by the great Sir Henry Cecil wonder horse – he was following in his father’s footsteps.
Frankel also won the Dewhurst – a race Chaldean landed last year – and also took the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. So, Chaldean really is taking the same 3 year-old path as his dad!
After his Ascot win, Frankel won the 2011 Sussex Stakes, so may Glorious Goodwood is on the agenda too for Chaldean?
No Derby Entry for Chaldean, But Royal Ascot Looks Next
The 2000 Guineas is often a fair stepping-stone race for the Epsom Derby – with Camelot in 2012 and Sea The Stars in 2009 winning both races.
However, there will be no Triple Crown on the cards for Chaldean as trainer Andrew Balding has stated that he feels the horses is a true miler, while he’s not got a Derby entry anyway!
Balding said: “I think if we went further it would be at York, which is a possibility, but, to me, he’s a miler through and through at this moment in his career and Ascot would be an attractive target.”
With that in mind, Chaldean is more likely to be heading to Royal Ascot in June for the Group One St James’s Palace Stakes, run over a mile, with the bookmakers having him in as the odds-on 4/5 favourite.
St James’s Palace Stakes Betting
- Chaldean @ 4/5
- Royal Scotsman @ 6/1
- Isaac Shelby @ 5/1
- Al Riffa @ 7/1
- Slipofthepen @ 10/1
- Ciceros Gift @ 10/1
- Auguste Rodin @ 12/1
Note: Odds are subject to change and others on request
WATCH: Chaldean Power Home To Win The 2023 2000 Guineas
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