Looking to repeat his success from the previous year at the Guineas Festival in Newmarket, Oisin Murphy has a strong team of fillies to look forward to.
During the three-day event in 2023, the 28-year-old recorded a treble. The most memorable moment was winning the Qipco 1000 Guineas on Saeed bin Suroor's Mawj, which narrowly defeated Tahiyra to win the Classic.
With Sea The Fire, the Fillies winner who finished third in the Mile, as his mount, Murphy is now aiming to make his mark on the Rowley Mile once more as he attempts to win two races in a row in the one-mile feature on Sunday.
After showing promise in competitive company as a two-year-old, the filly trained by Andrew Balding is currently available at the best price of 9-1. Despite his desire for another Classic victory, the three-time champion jockey has a great deal of respect for the opposition.
“See The Fire is training really well, but we have to respect the opposition,” said Murphy. “Fallen Angel, Ylang Ylang and whatever Charlie Appleby is running in the race. I will take any winner on the card, but I would love to win another Qipco 1000 Guineas.”
During last year's Guineas weekend, Murphy also experienced victories aboard Teumessias Fox and Running Lion. This year, Running Lion is returning to replicate the experience as she leads the betting for Sunday's William Hill Dahlia Stakes.
In the inaugural William Hill Pretty Polly Stakes, where Kalpana aims to build on her incredibly impressive handicap victory here last month by moving up to Listed company, he has another thrilling ride to look forward to.
“Kalpana bolted up in a handicap and I’m really looking forward to her, she’s really blossomed in her coat since her last start,” continued Murphy. “Running Lion is in great form, she doesn’t over exert herself on the gallops but we hope she will run really well.”