Desert Flower blossoms again at Newmarket to take G1 1,000 Guineas

Undefeated filly Desert Flower produced another authoritative performance over Newmarket’s Rowley Mile as she made all in the G1 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, 4 May.

Last season’s G1 Fillies’ Mile winner was completing back-to-back top-level wins at the course and handing Godolphin, Charlie Appleby and William Buick a Guineas double following Ruling Court’s success in the colts’ equivalent 24 hours earlier.

William Buick sent Desert Flower on into an early three-quarter length lead over the main group of runners on the far rail, with Remaat, Red Letter and Flight opting to race towards the stands’ side.

Little separated the two groups as Desert Flower looked to have most of the field under pressure two furlongs from home, before Flight emerged as the main danger to the Godolphin filly passing the furlong-pole.

Desert Flower found more inside the final furlong, with the Night Of Thunder homebred relishing the rising ground to score by a length over Flight. Simmering took third, a further length back.

Charlie Appleby said: “I am delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, to have a weekend like this is very special for everybody. It will probably take a few days to sink in. It’s a huge team effort and what Godolphin has achieved in America, the UK, Japan, Australia and throughout the world – what has been achieved this weekend has been remarkable.

“I wasn’t too worried watching the race because we saw the same in the Fillies’ Mile and May Hill Stakes last year. She goes through the gears and, at one point, it looks a little bit sticky. With the dip here and on quicker ground, I told William to get her into her rhythm and it was a great ride by him.

“It took me long enough to win a Guineas with a colt, but to have a filly and complete a double on the weekend is fantastic. It’s a fantastic team effort – they all know what part they play and I can’t thank them enough. They deserve all the credit.

“I see no reason why we can’t potentially step up to the mile and a half for the Oaks. She does all her best work in the last furlong and settles well, but it’s a discussion we will have as a team.”

William Buick said: “Desert Flower is an amazing filly and congratulations to everybody. This means the world and what a weekend for Godolphin, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Dubai.

“This filly is incredible. We looked at the race beforehand and Charlie and myself felt that we would have to make our own running. She showed what a versatile filly she is – we didn’t think it would be a problem for her. She’s genuine, very uncomplicated and keeps galloping.

“The only concern I had was when they split into two groups and you lose control. She got organised down the dip, hit the rising ground, and off she went. She is all class and a beautiful filly.

“I think she could be an Oaks filly, for sure. I think that’s the way everyone was thinking beforehand and hopefully that will be the plan. It’s been an amazing weekend for everybody and this is what dreams are made of. To be part of it is so special.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed puts so much into the sport and he has been rewarded this weekend. For me to be the jockey of these horses is a real privilege.”