History
The 1,000 Guineas was first run on 28 April 1814, five years after the inaugural running of the equivalent race for both colts and fillies, the 2,000 Guineas. The two races were established by the Jockey Club under the direction of Sir Charles Bunbury, who had earlier co-founded the Derby. They were named according to their original prize funds (a guinea amounted to 21 shillings, or £1.05).
By the mid-1860s, the 1,000 Guineas had become one of Britain's most prestigious races for three-year-olds. The five leading events for this age group, characterised by increasing distances as the season progressed, were now referred to as "Classics". The concept was later adopted in many other countries.
European variations of the 1,000 Guineas include the German 1,000 Guineas, the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Premio Regina Elena. Other countries to have adopted the format include Australia, Japan and New Zealand.
The 1,000 Guineas is served by trial races such as the Nell Gwyn Stakes and the Fred Darling Stakes, but for some horses it is the first race of the season. The 1,000 Guineas itself can act as a trial for the Oaks, and the last horse to win both was Kazzia in 2002.
The prize money for the 1,000 Guineas has equalled that of the 2,000 Guineas since 2001. Each had a purse of £350,000 in 2012.
Read more about this topic: 1,000 Guineas Stakes
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