A total of 10 runners went to post for the 2025 edition of the opening fillies’ classic of the season, but only two counted in the build-up. Out on their own at the head of the market were a pair of unbeaten fillies from two of the most powerful operations in the sport.
Going in the royal blue of Godolphin, the Charlie Appleby-trained Desert Flower had shot to the head of the market following an emphatic win in the Fillies’ Mile. Bolstered by glowing reports from the gallops, the daughter of Night Of Thunder maintained that position on the day.
If rumours were to be believed, the sole Aidan O’Brien filly, Lake Victoria, hadn’t enjoyed so smooth a preparation. She nevertheless took her place in the line-up, was unbeaten in five career outings, and had already secured a trio of Group 1 wins.
Ger Lyons Red Letter wasn’t far behind Lake Victoria in two juvenile outings and was the only other filly available at a single-figure price. Amongst those available at longer odds, Flight had twice hit the frame behind Desert Flower in 2024, and stablemate Simmering filled second behind Lake Victoria in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. The once-raced duo of Elwateen and Chantilly Lace needed to improve but boasted appealing pedigrees and hailed from the well-respected yards of Saeed bin Suroor and Ralph Beckett.
Result
- 1st – Desert Flower EvsF, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 2nd – Flight 28/1, Jockey: Oisin Murphy, Trainer: Ollie Sangster
- 3rd – Simmering 33/1, Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle, Trainer: Ollie Sangster
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £311,025.99
- 2nd – £117,916.74
- 3rd – £59,013.22
- 4th – £29,396.92
- 5th – £14,753.31
- 6th – £7,404.08
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £2
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.10, 2nd – £5.10. 3rd – £6
- Exacta – £26.70
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £39.21
- Trifecta – £311.90
- Tricast – £599.64
Recap
The hot favourite Desert Flower was the first into her stride as the stalls opened and quickly moved into the lead. Duty First followed her in a seven-strong group towards the far rail, tracked by Chantilly Lace and Elwateen. Lake Victoria sat to the outside of that group and around three lengths off the lead. Drawn in stalls eight, nine, and 10, Remaat, Red Letter, and Flight formed a separate group of three on the stands side.
There was not much between the two groups at the halfway stage, with Desert Flower possibly just holding sway over Red Letter, who had moved to the head of the smaller near-side group. Duty First continued to sit just off the market leader, with Elwateen also prominent and travelling notably well under Jim Crowley. Lake Victoria was in touch but seemingly not moving as comfortably as some of her rivals.
Elwateen, Chantilly Lace, and Duty First attempted to challenge the leader at the two-furlong pole. However, whilst not pulling away, Desert Flower quickened her own pace sufficiently to keep the trio at bay. Lake Victoria tried to muster a challenge but looked a little tapped for toe in the dip. Over on the near side, Flight responded impressively once switched into the centre of the track, with the burst of acceleration seeing the mount of Oisin Murphy grab the overall lead.
Having mastered the fillies on her side of the track, Desert Flower took aim at Flight. Just behind her rival entering the final furlong, she forged ahead 100 yards from the line and maintained that advantage for a one-length success. Flight ran a cracker in second, with her stablemate Simmering grabbing third. Lake Victoria only managed sixth.
It proved a first 1,000 Guineas for Charlie Appleby and William Buick, with the duo completing the Guineas double in 2025. Owners Godolphin landed the prize for a fifth time.
Runners
- 1. Chantilly Lace – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Ralph Beckett, Jockey: Rossa Ryan
- 2. Desert Flower – SP: EvsF, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
- 3. Duty First – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Archie Watson, Jockey: Hollie Doyle
- 4. Elwateen – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor, Jockey: Jim Crowley
- 5. Flight – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Ollie Sangster, Jockey: Oisin Murphy
- 6. Hey Boo – SP: 50/1, Trainer: Jack Channon, Jockey: George Bass
- 7. Lake Victoria – SP: 9/4, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 8. Red Letter – SP: 15/2, Trainer: Ger Lyons, Jockey: Colin Keane
- 9. Remaat – SP: 125/1, Trainer: Andrew Balding, Jockey: Jason Watson
- 10. Simmering – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Ollie Sangster, Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle
Non-Runners
All Ran