3 Horses Who Look Set to Be Strong Classic Contenders In 2022
The new Flat season is underway in the UK, which means a lot of attention now turns to the five British Classics this season, particularly the 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
All the leading trainers in the sport will be preparing their best three-year-olds for a shot at one of these major races. Here is a look at three horses who could be destined for success in one of the Classics.
Native Trail (2000 Guineas)
Charlie Appleby had an excellent year in 2021 on the track and he could be set for more glory this year. His exciting colt Native Trail looks the one to beat in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, where he is the 11/4 favourite in the betting on horse racing for the opening Classic of the year.
The son of Oasis Dream won a couple of Group One races in his two-year-old campaign. As you can see from the latest horse racing results, he was victorious in the National Stakes at the Curragh. Appleby’s runner then followed that up with success in the Dewhurst Stakes.
Godolphin have had some very good colts in recent years and Native Trail may well be next in line to dominate the 1m division in Europe.
Inspiral (1000 Guineas)
As a daughter of Frankel, a lot was expected of Inspiral in her two-year-old campaign. She more than lived up to that promise by winning all four of her assignments for John and Thady Gosden.
After wins at Newmarket and Sandown over 7f, Inspiral stepped up to 1m for the Group Two May Hill Stakes. She went clear of her rivals in the latter stages of that race, eventually scoring by just under four lengths.
Inspiral proved herself at the highest level on her final outing of the season. The British-trained filly won the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. She looked to improve again on that fourth outing of her career.
Gosden’s runner is the 5/2 favourite for the 1000 Guineas where she will be bidding for more success over the C&D.
Luxembourg (Derby)
Given his record in the Derby, with a record number of wins, Aidan O’Brien’s entries for the race always have to be respected. He will be bidding for a ninth victory in the Epsom race this year with Luxembourg.
The three-year-old is a son of Camelot, who won the Derby in 2012. He is bred to stay further than the 1m he ran over three times in 2021. The Ballydoyle runner landed the Group One Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster on his last appearance.
Luxembourg does also have an entry in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. That race is likely to be his opening race of the campaign. Regardless of where he finished in the opening British Classic of the season, he could produce his very best over 1m4f at Epsom.
Although the British Classics are not the only major races the above three horses will be contesting this year, success in them will go a long way when it comes to cementing their legacy on the track.
