Flat racing: Revisiting the 2024 British Classics thus far

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We are now a few months into the 2024 British flat racing season, and the Classics have dominated the headlines. At the time of writing, we have witnessed four of the five major races — with the 2000 and 1000 Guineas taking place at Newmarket in May and the Oaks and the Derby both playing out at Epsom. The prices of the winners have varied in the horse racing betting markets, with a mixture of favourites and outsiders landing the spoils.  

That said, read on as we take a look at the four horses who have etched their names in racing folklore by winning one of the historic British Classics. 

2000 Guineas – Notable Speech

The Guineas meeting at Newmarket is the official start of the flat racing season in Britain, and the 2000 Guineas is a fantastic way to raise the curtain on the campaign. 

The Aidan O’Brien-trained City Of Troy was the heavy favourite for the race after being crowned the champion two-year-old last year, but he flattered to deceive when finishing ninth of 11 runners. 

Instead, the 2000 Guineas went to Godolphin and Charlie Appleby for a second time as 16/1 chance Notable Speech reigned supreme. 

The three-year-old was unbeaten in his three races in the build-up to the 2000 Guineas, but there were concerns surrounding that form due to all those wins being on the all-weather. 

Notable Speech cast any doubt aside by running on to beat Rosallion by over a length.

1000 Guineas – Elmalka 

There was another shock upset on Guineas weekend at HQ, as Elmalka won the fillies’ version of the Classic from 28/1. 

Fallen Angel was the 100/30 favourite after a strong campaign as a juvenile but was back in eighth when the 1000 Guineas unfolded at the finish line. 

Nonetheless, it was a thrilling conclusion to the contest as Elmalka, under an expert ride from Silvestre De Sousa, kept on well inside the final strides to win. 

There was just one length separating the first five over the line, with Porta Fortuna beaten by just a neck and closely followed by Ramatuelle, Tamfana and Ylang Ylang. 

The Oaks – Ezeliya

Following the same trend as the Guineas, the favourite once again failed to deliver in the Oaks at the end of May. 

Ylang Ylang was expected to come on from her Newmarket performance and was as short as 11/8 for the Oaks. 

However, the O’Brien-trained horse could fair no better than sixth and was over nine lengths off the pace. 

The honours ultimately went to Ezeliya, securing Irish handler Dermot Weld his second Oaks success over 40 years after his maiden triumph in the race back in 1981.

The Derby – City Of Troy

While Ylang Ylang couldn’t bounce back for Ballydoyle in the Oaks, her stablemate City Of Troy righted his wrongs from the 2000 Guineas in the Derby.

Faith was restored in the three-year-old in the market ahead of the Epsom showpiece as he was priced as the 3/1 favourite, and it was an epic performance from the Coolmore star. 

Held up in the rear by Ryan Moore in the early stages, City Of Troy was ridden into the lead two furlongs out, and he stormed to a comfortable victory over Ambiente Friendly. 

It was a record 10th victory in the race for O’Brien, and an almost identical repeat of last season, when Auguste Rodin bounced back from his Guineas blowout to win the Derby for Ballydoyle. 

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