QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS TO HOST FIRST SPANISH RUNNER IN BRITISH CLASSIC

Noozhoh Canarias, a colt with Group 1 form and just one defeat in four career starts, could become the first Spanish runner in a British Classic. Trainer Enrique Leon has outlined how his charge’s number one aim is Saturday, 3 May’s QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile racecourse. Although trained and bred in the comparative racing backwaters of Madrid and San Sebastian, Noozhoh Canarias has credentials that make him a highly credible Guineas candidate. Already an eased-down three length winner of a Listed race in Bordeaux, the son of Caradak (who landed the 2006 Celebration Mile at Goodwood when owned by Godolphin) posted a career best effort on his final start of 2013 when finishing three-quarters of a length second to Karakontie in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp. What is more, his trainer, 33-year-old Leon, has first-hand experience of what it takes to get a top-class horse ready for a Classic tilt. Leon spent two years working for Newmarket trainer James Fanshawe and rode the five-time Group 1 winner, Soviet Song, when she was being prepared for the 2003 renewal of the 1000 Guineas in which she finished fourth. “The prospect of becoming the first Spanish trainer to have a Guineas runner is a huge feeling and I am very excited about the opportunity to go back to Newmarket,” Leon said. “It would be a dream. It is something that I have always dreamed of and now having the chance to make it real is unbelievable. As for winning, I’m trying not to think about it and just focus on the daily work without putting pressure on myself. “I believe that Noozhoh Canarias was very unlucky at Longchamp as he stumbled with a furlong to run and then got struck on the head by another jockey’s whip. He also did not like the [soft] ground at all. “We plan to run him in Madrid on 30th March and afterwards we will decide between the English and French Guineas depending upon where the ground is better. In previous years the better ground has always been in England, so our number one option is to go to Newmarket.” “We plan to fly him over as it is very difficult to win a British Classic but even more so after 1,100 miles of road travel. We are coming with big hopes.” Newmarket Racecourses reports that tickets for the two-day QIPCO Guineas Festival are selling very well, with early bird customers enjoying a 10% online discount in Grandstand & Paddock (£20.70) and Premier Enclosure (£36.00). Entry is free for all accompanied under 18s. Parties and group bookings of 10 can receive an additional 10% advance purchase discount online. To book, visit http://www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk/ or call 0844 579 3010.    For further information please contact:  Michael Prosser, Head of Racing, Jockey Club East Region, 07802 844 578 or Tony Rushmer, Racing PR manager, Newmarket Racecourses, 07702 579 382.