England: Desert Flower takes 1000 Guineas, gives Godolphin classic sweep
Desert Flower won Sunday’s Group 1 English 1000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse in Britain to complete an unprecedented trans-Atlantic sweep of four classic races for Godolphin Racing in less than 48 hours.
On Friday, Godolphin’s Good Cheer won the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. On Saturday, the stable’s Ruling Court won the Group 1 English 2000 Guineas more than eight hours before Sovereignty won the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
Godolphin is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum of Dubai.
“It’s been a great weekend,” Charlie Appleby, who trains Ruling Court and Desert Flower, told the press.
“What’s happened this weekend has just been remarkable, in America with the Derby and the Oaks and the two Guineas here. I don’t think it’s ever been done before and it’ll probably be a long time before it’s done again.”
Ruling Court and Desert Flower are the first runners to sweep the English 2000 and 1000 Guineas for the same owners and trainer since Magna Grecia won the 2000 Guineas and Hermosa won the 1000 Guineas in 2019 for the Coolmore syndicate and trainer Aidan O’Brien.
Godolphin’s Grade 1 winners this weekend in the United States have different trainers. Good Cheer is trained by Brad Cox, while Bill Mott trains Sovereignty.
American trainer Ken McPeek swept the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby in 2024 with Thorpedo Anna and Mystik Dan for different owners.
Desert Flower was expected to win the 1000 Guineas, which extended her unbeaten record to five races. In a field of 10, Desert Flower was sent off as the even-money favorite with British bookmakers, but paid just $3.40 in American pools.
Ridden by William Buick, Desert Flower led throughout the $729,900 1000 Guineas, run on a straightaway course. Desert Flower was part of a group of seven fillies that raced on the far side of the track. She finished a length in front of 37-1 Flight.
Appleby said Desert Flower benefited from the stamina-testing uphill finish at Newmarket.
“At one point, you’d think we had a battle on our hands, but I just knew that as soon as she hits that rising ground she will find another gear,” Appleby said. “It’s what she does at home. She trains on a hill every day, so hills don’t worry her.
“I wasn’t surprised or too worried watching the race. She just goes through those gears.”
Flight, third behind Desert Flower in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last September, was one of three fillies that raced on the side of the course closest to the stands. Flight finished a length in front of stablemate Simmering, a 52-1 chance. Flight and Simmering are trained by Ollie Sangster.
The disappointment in the field was Lake Victoria, the winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar last November for O’Brien. Unbeaten in five starts at 2, Lake Victoria had her 2025 debut in the 1000 Guineas, finishing sixth by 2 1/2 lengths as the 9-5 second choice. She was part of the group that raced with Desert Flower, but could not sustain a threat in the final furlong.
Desert Flower, by Night of Thunder, has won five races, including the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket last October in her final start of 2024.
Appleby said Desert Flower may be pointed to the next classic race for 3-year-old fillies in Britain, the Group 1 English Oaks at 1 1/2 miles at Epsom Racecourse on June 6, or the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at a mile at Royal Ascot on June 20.
Desert Flower has yet to race beyond a mile.
“Whether it’s Ascot or whether we decide she's capable of stepping up a bit farther, we'll have those healthy discussions,” he said.
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