Classic second for Barney Roy in 2000 Guineas

Barney Roy produced an excellent performance to finish second in the first British Classic, the G1 2000 Guineas, over the straight mile at Newmarket on Saturday, May 6. 

The Richard Hannon-trained colt, making only his third start, broke well but raced freely early on under James Doyle before settling better in seventh of the 10 runners after a furlong and a half. 

He took closer order approaching the three-furlong marker and stayed on well to go third just inside the final furlong, despite becoming unbalanced entering the Newmarket dip. 

Barney Roy rallied gamely on the rising ground, running on to take second and resisting the challenge of the third Al Wukair, to go down by a length to last season’s champion juvenile Churchill, who scored in 1m 36.61s on good to firm ground.  

A neck separated Barney Roy and Al Wukair at the line, with a head back to Lancaster Bomber, and another Godolphin runner, Dream Castle (Saeed bin Suroor/Silvestre De Sousa), who met trouble in running, a further length and three-quarters in arrears in fifth. 

John Ferguson, Chief Executive & Racing Manager of Godolphin, commented: “I am delighted with the way Barney Roy has run. He was only having the third race of his life and has performed exceptionally well.

“Sheikh Mohammed's first reaction was that he is probably a horse for the St James’s Palace Stakes (G1, 1m, June 20) at Royal Ascot. 

“The thing to remember is this was his second run this year. He has had two quick runs and three in total and has performed like a top-class racehorse, so there is lots to look forward to.”

Richard Hannon said: “I am very proud of Barney Roy. He ran a good race, but he stumbled coming into the dip, mainly through a little inexperience.

“He has run a super race and we are very pleased with him. I think it is fair to say the winner had the run of the race.

“The St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot is likely to be on the cards for him now.”

James Doyle added: “Barney Roy has ran a stormer and I am absolutely delighted with him. 

“Everything went against us - we were hoping for a better pace. They didn’t go very quick at all and we didn’t have a lot of room for the first furlong and he raced awkwardly, not used to being in the middle of other horses. Once the pace lifted, he was fine. 

“He got the hang of it by halfway, but we were caught in a tangle of horses. He faltered coming into the dip, which he did not handle at all.

“Once he met the rising ground, he finished off really well. I thought I was closing with every stride. I think a flatter track will definitely suit him better. “