The Thousand Guineas
- Type: Group 1 set weight race
- Distance: 1600 metres
- Age: 3 year old fillies
- Racecourse: Caulfield, Melbourne
- 1st Place Prize Money: $300,000 plus trophies
- Set Weight: 55.5 kg
Overseen by the media and racing fans due to bigger races held during the Caulfield Cup Carnival, the Thousand Guineas is in fact one of the most exhilarating races to watch during the Spring Racing Carnival. This particular race is the definite display of agility and elegance as some of the nation’s finest fillies battle it out to win what is known as the filly equivalent to the Caulfield Guineas. First run in 1946 when Sweet Chime took out the title, the Thousand Guineas is held the Wednesday after the Caulfield Guineas and has a rich history of producing excellent future VRC Oaks champions. Six champion fillies have gone on to win the VRC Oaks including Miss Finland (2006), Special Harmony (2003), Magical Miss (2001), Northwood Plume (1994), Arborea (1993), Richfield Lady (1991) and Tristranagh (1989).
Well known racing identity Wenona Girl won the Thousand Guineas after battling it out with Impulsive the whole length of the race. In the end, she managed to win by 2.5 lengths. Then again in 1961 Indian Summer won by 2 lengths as the favourite with odds of 9/4. Adding to this list of impressive wins was standout filly Toltrice, who won by three lengths in 1972. Another famous racing name has also emerged in the race’s history; Bart Cummings added the Thousand Guineas to his extensive list of wins after his horse Dashing Eagle won in 1996.
The Thousand Guineas is an excellent race for betting on for several reasons. Firstly, history has shown that majority of horses which have a chance of winning the race have placed well in previous similar races. Also, as the race is run under set weight conditions, there is more of an advantage for the better performance horses, increasing punters’ odds of selecting a winner. Thousand Guineas winners are known to stand out in the remainder of the carnival races, which also helps punters in their future betting.
Thousand Guineas Winners
| Year | Horse |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Irish Lights |
| 2008 | Gallica |
| 2007 | Serious Speed |
| 2006 | Miss Finland |
| 2005 | Mnemosyne |
| 2004 | Alinghi |
| 2003 | Special Harmony |
| 2002 | Macedon Lady |
| 2001 | Magical Miss |
| 2000 | All Time High |
| 1999 | Shizu |
| 1998 | Inaflury |
| 1997 | Lady Of The Pines |
| 1996 | Dashing Eagle |
| 1995 | Shame |
| 1994 | Northwood Plume |
| 1993 | Arborea |
| 1992 | Azzurro |
| 1991 | Richfield Lady |
| 1990 | Whisked |
| 1989 | Tristanagh |
| 1988 | Riverina Charm |
| 1987 | Bianco Flyer |
| 1986 | Magic Flute |
| 1985 | Shankhill Lass |
| 1984 | Goleen |
| 1983 | Perfect Bliss |
| 1982 | Rom’s Stiletto |
| 1981 | Copperama |
| 1980 | Biscadale |
| 1979 | Brava Jeannie |
| 1978 | Kapalaran |
| 1977 | Princess Talaria |
| 1976 | Savoir |
| 1975 | Toy Show |
| 1974 | Sufficient |
| 1973 | Just Topic |
| 1972 | Toltrice |
| 1971 | What’s The Verdict |
| 1970 | Tango Miss |
| 1969 | Wood Court Inn |
| 1968 | Our Faith |
| 1967 | Begonia Bell |
| 1966 | Cendrillon |
| 1965 | Gipsy Queen |
| 1964 | Reveille |
| 1963 | Heirloom / Anna Rose (dead heat) |
| 1962 | Regal Peace |
| 1961 | Indian Summer |
| 1960 | Wenona Girl |
| 1959 | Chaise |
| 1958 | But Beautiful |
| 1957 | Goldenway |
| 1956 | Bendrum |
| 1955 | Brimses |
| 1954 | Lady Mogambo |
| 1953 | Olympic Girl |
| 1952 | Trunnion |
| 1951 | Golden Chariot |
| 1950 | True Course |
| 1949 | Chicquita |
| 1948 | Siren Song |
| 1947 | Nizam’s Ring |
| 1946 | Sweet Chime |
