Speedy Fillies Run a Mile in the 1000 Guineas

Newmarket-ENG (NEW) Sunday, April 26, 2026 — 3:00:00 PM EST The 1000 Guineas
Grade I / Group 1 – Purse : $1,500,000
Restricted to 3 Year Olds, Fillies Only
8 Furlongs | ~1600 Meters | One Mile	Firm Turf

“Good afternoon to listeners across the United Kingdom and around the world and welcome to BBC Radio 5 Live Racing. This is Alastair Pembroke-Smythe the 3rd , live at Newmarket Racecourse where the air is thick with anticipation ahead of one of the great fixtures of the spring — the 1000 Guineas over 1 mile for 3 year old fillies.

It is a race that has crowned champions, broken hearts, and written more than a few unforgettable chapters in the long story of the Rowley Mile. The fillies are saddled, the crowds are gathering, and the tension is beginning to hum across the heath.

To guide us through the form, the chaos, and the sheer theatre of it all, we turn to a man who needs no introduction — though he usually gives himself one anyway. A voice forged somewhere between the outback and a betting ring, a man whose metaphors are as wild as the weather on the Downs and twice as unpredictable.

Ladies and gentlemen… Darcy ‘Dingo’ Magee.

“Ahh, cheers Alastair — always nice to be introduced by a bloke who sounds like he irons his socks. Now listen up, folks… the 1000 Guineas this year? It’s got more twists than a goanna in a lawnmower catcher. Half this lot think they’re champions, the other half haven’t worked out which way the Rowley Mile points, and somewhere in the middle is the filly who’ll make us all look silly.

So let’s not muck about. I’ve had a squiz at the form, I’ve argued with myself, and I’ve offended at least three horses in the process.

Right then — let’s dive in. First filly up…”

No 1 – ARTEMIS GALLOP

Trainer: Given | Jockey: O. A. Haack | Odds: 5/1

She moves like she’s gliding over red dirt, smooth and deadly calm while half this mob clatter around like they’ve got saucepans strapped to their hooves. She’s got that proper Guineas engine — the kind that doesn’t panic, doesn’t wobble, just keeps tightening the screws the further they go. When others start gasping like overheated billy goats, she’s still lengthening like she’s only just been asked. She’s the type who cops bumps, tight pockets, bad draws, and still finds a way to keep coming. There’s no fluke about her form — every run says she’s built for the mile and built for pressure. If she gets daylight at the right moment, she’ll be the one turning the screws while the rest are praying for mercy.

She’s the one they’ll need a compass and a tailwind to catch.

No 2 – EILEAN RUÌSTEIL

Trainer: Lameuniere | Jockey: R. Whisper | Odds: 10/1

She’s a grinder who keeps coming like a kelpie who’s heard the dinner bowl from two paddocks over, and she’ll keep finding when others start wobbling. She’s tough as a sun‑baked fencepost, but she’s got the turn of foot of a tired goanna — honest, relentless, but not exactly electric. If they roll along at a proper clip she’ll be one of the last still swinging, but if they stack and sprint she’ll be left flat‑footed. She’s reliable, she’s genuine, and she’ll outstay the pretenders, but she won’t outsprint the sharp ones. She’s the type who’ll run through a brick wall but won’t win a drag race.

She’ll stick on all day but she won’t be blowing past the flyers.

No 3 – JUSTIFIED MURDER

Trainer: Woette1 | Jockey: K. Ledwith | Odds: 9/1

She’s got raw talent that jumps off the page, the kind that makes you sit up when she actually decides to behave. But she’s as temperamental as a cranky emu on bin‑night — one wrong look and she’ll throw the toys before they’ve gone 200 metres. Her peak runs stack up with the best fillies here, but her bad days are so bad they could sink a fishing boat. She’s explosive, unpredictable, and absolutely not the type you trust with your last dollar. If she jumps clean and settles, she’s dangerous; if she doesn’t, she’s cooked before the bend.

She’ll either launch like a rocket or vanish like a chip in a flock of seagulls.

No 4 – CITY OF APHRODITE

Trainer: Jastables | Jockey: P. Appolonia | Odds: 9/1

She floats along like she’s riding a sea breeze, barely touching the ground while others stomp around like they’re chopping wood. But she’s got a habit of daydreaming at the worst possible moment, giving away cheap lengths like she’s handing out samples at a market stall. Her best form is proper Guineas grade — clean, classy, and strong through the line — but she can switch off quicker than a dodgy torch. If she stays alert and takes a position, she’s right in the finish; if she snoozes, she’ll be swamped by the sharper closers. She’s got the talent, but she needs the brain switched on from the jump.

She can win — but only if she keeps her head out of the clouds.

No 5 – WRITTEN MY SONG

Trainer: Xfactor | Jockey: T. Ace | Odds: 35/1

She jumps like someone lit a cracker under her tail, but the moment they straighten she hits the wall harder than a blowfly on a windscreen. Her early speed is handy enough to annoy a few, but her late sectionals don’t belong anywhere near a Guineas mile. Against this field, she’ll be swallowed the instant the pressure goes on, because the stronger fillies will be just warming up while she’s running on fumes. She’s honest, she’s brave, but she’s outgunned and outclassed at this level. She’ll give her trainer a moment of hope before reality arrives like a slap.

She’ll show up early and vanish quicker than a cold beer at a BBQ.

No 6 – SKYLER STORM

Trainer: Beerkeq | Jockey: R. Hansen | Odds: 9/1

She’s nimble and sharp, slicing through gaps like a goanna through long grass when she gets the right tow. Her best runs show a turn of foot that can trouble the favourites, but she’s fragile when asked to work early and can wilt if forced wide. She needs cover, rhythm, and timing — take any of those away and she looks like she’s running in gumboots. Compared to the top hopes, she’s got the talent but not the constitution. If she gets the dream run she’s dangerous, but if she’s exposed early she’ll fold like wet cardboard.

She’s a threat — but only if the race is run after midnight down the Cross.

No 7 – HURRICANE MACHINE

Trainer: Tenpoint | Jockey: J. Wilson | Odds: 11/1

She’s a big, rolling, one‑paced steam engine who thrives when the race turns into a proper slog. If they dawdle early, she’s in strife — she can’t outsprint the sharper fillies even on her best day. But if the tempo is brutal and the field starts gasping like overheated billy goats, she’ll still be grinding while others are waving the white flag. She’s tough, she’s honest, and she’ll keep coming, but she needs the race to turn ugly to bring her strengths into play. She’s the type who’ll run through a cyclone but won’t win a dash.

She’ll keep coming, but only if the race turns into a dust storm.

No 8 – TROUBLE IS FUN

Trainer: Desperado | Jockey: F. Gossett | Odds: 14/1

She’s a hand grenade — explosive early, unpredictable late, and capable of blowing the race apart if she gets her own way. If she crosses cheaply, she’ll take them a long way and make half the field uncomfortable. But if she cops pressure, she folds quicker than a cheap camp chair left in the sun. Her form says she’s fast but fragile, and this field has too many who can poke holes in her. She’ll shape the race, but she won’t be shaping the finish. She’s the chaos merchant, not the closer.

She’ll light it up early then fizzle like a wet sparkler.

No 9 – FRIGG GREY

Trainer: Daniel | Jockey: J. Ledwith | Odds: 9/1

She’s the quiet improver — no fuss, no flash, just keeps stepping up like a worker who never clocks off. Not the fastest, not the fanciest, but tough as a sun‑baked fencepost and twice as honest. She’ll beat the pretenders and make the contenders earn every inch. Her pattern is reliable, her effort is guaranteed, and she’s the type who keeps finding when others start wobbling. She needs a couple of the big names to crack, but she’s not here to make up numbers. She’s the grinder who won’t go away.

She’ll stick on when others start crying for their mum.

No 10 – DOWNUNDER CAFE

Trainer: Down Under Racing | Jockey: E. Lannoo | Odds: 9/1

She’s travelled more than a fisherman’s tinny and held her own everywhere she’s gone, which is more than most of this field can claim. Her overseas form is stronger than half the backyard efforts lining up here, and when she’s right she hits the line like she’s got somewhere to be. But travel can take the edge off even the best, and if she’s feeling the miles she’ll flatten out late like a tired roo. She’s classy, she’s seasoned, and she’s dangerous — but she’s not bulletproof. She’s the wildcard the locals don’t want to see looming.

If she’s right, she’ll cook half this field like campfire damper.

No 11- LADY MONT

Trainer: Duckman | Jockey: Z. Ayya | Odds: 12/1

She’s a diva through and through — brilliant one day, baffling the next, and impossible to trust with anything more than pocket change. When she’s in the mood, she can match motors with the best of them and look like she belongs in a Group race. When she’s not, she’ll be gone before the 600 like she’s late for a hair appointment. Her form is patchy, her attitude patchier, and this field won’t forgive a bad day. She’s the ultimate coin‑toss horse — heads she flies, tails she sulks.

She’ll either shock them or spit the dummy — nothing in between.

No 12 – ULTRA MEGA OK

Trainer: Tenpoint | Jockey: D. Givins | Odds: 9/1

She’s a big‑striding closer who hits the line like she’s chasing an esky rolling downhill, and when she winds up she can take lengths off anything. But she gives away too much ground early and needs the race run hotter than a tin roof at midday to bring her into it. Against this field, she’ll be flying late while others are paddling, but she risks leaving herself too much to do. She’s honest, she’s strong, but she’s hostage to tempo. She’s the late‑charging heartbreaker who arrives just after the party’s over.

She’ll flash home, but the bird may’ve flown.

No 13 – EXTREME DARE Trainer: Sremel | Jockey: L. Kraft | Odds: 9/1

She’s tough, honest, and consistent — the kind who keeps swinging while others quit — but she doesn’t have the explosive gear the real Guineas fillies possess. She’ll sit handy, she’ll fight, and she’ll give you everything she’s got, but she won’t outsprint the sharper ones when the whips are cracking. She’s reliable, she’s genuine, and she’ll beat the weak ones, but she’s not scaring the top shelf. She’s the dependable worker in a field of specialists.

She’ll fight hard, but she won’t land the knockout.

No 14 – FLAMING WITNESS

Trainer: Acarigua | Jockey: M. Arky | Odds: 14/1

She’s a swooper with a flair for theatre, always leaving it late and storming home like she’s been fired out of a slingshot strapped to a sugar‑crazed wallaby. Her best runs show a booming finish that can embarrass tired leaders, but she needs the pace hotter than a campfire at full roar to bring that weapon into play. If they overcook it up front she’ll be the one charging while others are gasping like overheated billy goats. But if they crawl early, she’ll be spotting them too big a start and her run will be more dramatic than dangerous. She’s exciting, but she’s at the mercy of chaos.

She’ll scorch late — but only if they go mad up front.

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“Righto, let’s talk turkey — or in this case, fillies who either fly, flop, or do something in between that ruins your multi.

Top pick! I’m sticking my neck out for the one who’s been travelling sweeter than a swagman’s whistle all prep. She’s got gears, she’s got manners, and she’s got a turn of foot sharp enough to slice a tomato mid‑air. If she gets a sniff at the furlong, she’ll go past them like they’re tied to the rail. ARTEMIS GALLOP

Danger? The big‑striding Aussie who needs a wind‑up longer than a country footy speech. If they roll along early, she’ll be the one thundering late like a ute with no muffler. Give her clear air and she’ll make it interesting. DOWNUNDER CAFE

Blowout? Oh, there’s a filly here who’s been hiding her cards like a dodgy poker mate. If she decides today’s the day, she could pop up at cricket‑score odds and make half the grandstand question their life choices. FLAMING WITNESS

So there you go — three chances, three ways to either look like a genius or a galah. That’s the Guineas for you.

Alastair, mate… I’ve said my piece. Back to you in the studio before I talk myself into backing all fourteen of them.”

“Darcy Magee there — colourful as ever and absolutely unfiltered, as our listeners have come to expect. His picks are in, the atmosphere is building, and the Rowley Mile is just about ready to take centre stage.

Before the fillies make their way into the paddock, we’ll take a short pause for the latest BBC News and a full weather update for Newmarket and the surrounding region — crucial listening for anyone with an eye on the ground conditions this afternoon.

Stay with us. You’re on BBC Radio 5 Live Racing — the 1000 Guineas is not far away.”