Haafhd claims Guineas

Hills and Haafhd come into the Newmarket's winner's enclosure

Haafhd won the season's first Classic, the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, to provide a memorable day for the Hills family.

The three-year-old, trained by Barry Hills and ridden by son Richard, took the lead two furlongs out and held off the challenge of Snow Ridge.

The win gave the trainer his second 2,000 Guineas success 25 years after his first and provided a first success in this Classic for Richard Hills.

Big disappointment of the race was favourite One Cool Cat, who trailed in at the back of the field and was later found to be suffering from an irregular heartbeat.

Pacemaker Tumblebrutus took the field along at a furious gallop for the first half of the race but it was obvious from early on that his stablemate One Cool Cat was not going well.

Craven Stakes winner Haafhd, however, was always well placed running up the middle of the famous Rowley Mile course.

Two furlongs out he stepped up the pace and although Snow Ridge ran on well, Haafhd never looked under any real threat.

The 11-2 shot crossed the line 1¾ lengths clear to claim the £174,000 first prize for owner Sheikh Hamdan Al-Makhtoum.

"I have no doubt that Haafhd is the best miler I have trained," said Barry Hills.

"He is a very special horse and obviously there is an extra thrill from the fact that Richard rode him.

"Michael (Richard's twin brother) has won me an Irish Classic, so perhaps it is fitting that he has won this one."

Hills added: "He is entered in the Derby, but we need to think about things. We will see how he comes out of this race."

Runner-up Snow Ridge will definitely be aimed at the Derby, owners Godolphin confirmed - the colt is already as low as 6-1 for the Epsom Classic, which takes place next month.

---

Ultimatebet.com 2,000 Guineas Stakes
(Group One race)
Newmarket, One mile

1 Haafhd (R Hills) 11-2
2 Snow Ridge (L Dettori) 8-1
3 Azamour (M Kinane) 25-1
14 ran. Dist: 1¾l, 1l.