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The Guineas Festival 2021 (1000 and 2000 Guineas Stakes)
The Guineas Festival 2021 will take place on the 1st and 2nd May 2021, with the 2000 Guineas Stakes run on the Saturday and the 1000 Guineas on the Sunday and each race expected to start at 3:40pm.
The 1000 and 2000 Guineas Stakes are two Group 1 flat horse races both run over a distance of 1 mile. The 2000 Guineas is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies and was first run in 1809, whilst the 1000 guineas is only open to three-year-old fillies and began in 1814. The names originate from the prize fund on offer at the time, with a guinea amounting to 21 shillings (£1.05).
The Guineas are the first two each year of Britain’s classic races, the others being the Epsom Oaks, Epsom Derby and St Leger Stakes. The 2000 Guineas serves as the opening leg of the Triple Crown, followed by the Derby and the St Leger whilst the 1000 Guineas is the opening leg of the Fillies’ Triple Crown, followed by the Oaks and the St Leger.
The current 2000 Guineas winner is Kameko, whilst the 1000 Guineas was Love who would also go on to win the 2020 Epsom Oaks.
Where is the 1000 and 2000 Guineas Stakes (Guineas Festival 2021)?
Both races have been run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket Racecourse since they were first held.
Address: Rowley Mile Racecourse, Cambridge Road, Newmarket CB8 0TF
How do I get to the 1000 and 2000 Guineas Stakes (Guineas Festival 2021)?
Newmarket Racecourse is located approximately 1.5 miles southwest of Newmarket in Suffolk in the East of England.
Airport – There are several airports within reasonable driving distance of Newmarket, the closest being Stansted Airport which is just over 30 miles away. The airport offers a number of flights across Europe and is either a 45 minute car journey away or by taking the train to Cambridge (see below).
Alternatively, the small Norwich Airport is just over 50 miles away (1 hours drive) or the much larger London Heathrow, with international flights across the world is 90 miles away (90 minutes drive).
Thinking of going to Newmarket? Search & book your flights through Skyscanner here.
Bus – A free shuttle bus service runs on race days between Newmarket town centre and the racecourse, with pick-ups outside Hughes electrical store on the high street and the train station. The service starts 2 hours before the first race and stops when the first race begins, resuming again 45 minutes before the last race and continuing for up to 2 hours.
A coach service is available from Cambridge Train Station, Royston Train Station, Bury St Edmunds Bus Station and Ely (via Soham and Fordham). The service costs £10 return or £6 one way and can be booked when purchasing your admission tickets. Further information is available on the Newmarket Racecourse website here.
Driving/Parking – Newmarket is situated just off the A14 with journey times to London and Norwich being an hour, or Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds and Ely about 30 minutes. From the A14 merge onto the A1304, signposted Newmarket. After 5 miles take the second exit on the roundabout (for the July Course) or third exit (for the Rowley Mile). There is plenty of free parking available on site at the racecourse.
Train – Newmarket railway station offers regular services to Cambridge to the west and Ipswich to the east, with both offering onwards connections to London whilst Cambridge has good connections with the Midlands and the North. During race meets, a coach service is available from Cambridge and Royston Train stations (see above).
The station is about 2 miles away from the racecourse, with a walking time of about 30 minutes. During race meets, a free shuttle bus operates between Newmarket station and the racecourse (see above).
Thinking of catching a train to Newmarket? Search and book your journey through the Trainline here.
How do I get tickets to the 1000 and 2000 Guineas Stakes (Guineas Festival 2021)?
Unfortunately the Guineas Festival 2021 will be held behind closed doors. However the latest ticket information for future races will be available on the Guineas Festival official website here.
Where to Stay in Newmarket
Use TripAdvisor to find some great places to stay in Newmarket by clicking here.
Further Information
Guineas Festival Official Website