Sheikh Mohammed wins 2000 Guineas
Just 10 days after Sheikh Mohammed’s racing operation Godolphin was plunged into crisis after 11 horses trained for him by Mahmood al Zarooni tested positive for anabolic steroids, his Dawn Approach won the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Trained in Ireland by Jim Bolger — for whom this was a first success in the race and who also trained the colt’s sire New Approach — the powerful, white-faced chestnut was an impressive five-length winner of the first Classic of the season. After six unbeaten starts as a two-year-old, this was his first race of the 2013 campaign.
The 11-8 favourite sailed along in the slip-stream of his pacemaker Leitir Mor, who set a strong pace, before moving easily to the front alongside the second favourite, Toronado. But the Richard Hannon-trained Toronado looked to struggle in the final furlong and a half and Dawn Approach drew away comfortably.
Jockey Kevin Manning said: “He’s a very special horse. He travelled very well and when I asked him to quicken, he’s picked up and gone.”
Dawn Approach is now favourite for the Investec Derby at Epsom in a month’s time.
Second was the Kevin Ryan-trained Glory Awaits, a son of the sprinter Choisir, at a massive 150-1 under Jamie Spencer.
Van Der Neer (William Buick) was third, ahead of his Hannon stable-mate Toronado in fourth.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
A St Andrews’ graduate, Catherine joined Horse & Hound in 2002 and stayed for 11 years in a variety of roles until she went freelance in June 2013. She rejoined the team part-time in November 2016 as hunting editor. She pretty much lives on the hunting field or at the racecourse, but also loves eventing, as a journalist, press officer and competitor. She was H&H’s sole accredited journalist at the London Olympic Games and has reported from major race meetings and eventing, showjumping and dressage championships and shows round the world, and has hunted all over Britain and Ireland.