Newmarket Winners Enhance Classic Credentials

Suzanne Ashton
Newmarket Charity Race - Amy in the lead

The Newmarket Future Champions Festival unearthed some stars of the future, particularly when it comes to the British Classics in 2023. Amongst the winners were Chaldean in the Dewhurst Stakes and Commissioning in the Fillies’ Mile.

Chaldean brought his record up to four wins from five starts in the Group One contest for the colts. He hit the front very early into the 7f contest under the hands of Frankie Dettori and he was tough at the finish to hold off the challenge from Royal Scotsman.

That victory came after he landed the Acomb Stakes at York and Champagne Stakes at Doncaster earlier in the campaign. The latter of those was a Group Two contest which convinced his connections that he was good enough for the top level.

Fans can already bet on horse racing with Paddy Power for the 2,000 Guineas, the opening Classic in 2023. Andrew Balding’s colt is 8/1 to win that race at Newmarket next May. He could take on Little Big Bear and Noble Style in what would be a fascinating clash between the talented colts.

The son of Frankel has an entry in the Vertem Futurity Stakes at Doncaster later this year. That is likely to be the final run of his two-year-old campaign, which will also be factored into horse racing tips. It will be his first attempt over the Guineas distance of 1 mile and victory in the Group One contest would enhance his reputation.

Balding knows exactly what it takes to train a 2,000 Guineas winner. He saddled Kameko to victory in the opening Classic of the season two years ago. The Kingsclere trainer will be hoping this horse replicates that success at Newmarket in 2023.

Commissioning Remains Unbeaten Following Fillies’ Mile

The Fillies’ Mile is often a race that springs a possible 1,000 Guineas winner. This year’s race was won by Commissioning, a filly who has now prevailed in all three of her appearances on the track.

John and Thady Gosden’s runner went into the Group One contest as the warm favourite following two impressive wins at Newmarket over 7f, including in the Group Two Rockfel Stakes.

The Kingman filly hit the front with 110 yards to go in the Fillies’ Mile, scoring by a length ahead of Novakai. The pair were a long way clear of the rest of the pack which was headed by Bright Diamond.

Commissioning is now the second favourite at 4/1 for the 1,000 Guineas in 2023. She does not have any more entries this year, so she is likely to rest now over the winter before she trains for her Classic campaign.

Gosden’s filly is set to take on Tahiyra at Newmarket. The Irish-trained filly jumped to the top of the betting for the Classic when she won the Moyglare Stud Stakes at Curragh on just her second career start.

A clash between Tahiyra and Commissioning is likely to be one of the highlights in the early stages of the 2023 Flat season. The pair will end 2022 at the top of their age group in the fillies’ division and should be in contention for all the major three-year-old horse races they enter next year.

Guineas weekend at Newmarket is scheduled to take place between 6th-7th Newmarket. It is one of the most important meetings of the year for all the leading jockeys, trainers and owners in Europe.