Britain's 1,000 Guineas scheduled; will Swiss Skydiver travel?

With the British Horse Racing Authority targeting June 1 for the return of racing, the BHA’s Flat Pattern Committee has released a provisional stakes schedule for the first seven days of the restart.

Kicking off a blockbuster opening weekend in England on June 5 is the Grade 1 Coronation, followed by the first two Classics of the season: the 2,000 Guineas on June 6 and 1,000 Guineas the following day. The 1,000 Guineas could feature recent Fantasy Stakes (G3) winner Swiss Skydiver for trainer Ken McPeek, with the race date falling just where he predicted earlier this month.

“I think she’ll like the grass," McPeek told Horse Racing Nation. "It’s a great race. Typically, we wouldn’t have an opportunity to run in a race like this because of the timing. If she continues to do as well as she’s been doing, there’s a better-than-average chance we will take her."

At last update Wednesday, McPeek informed Bill Finley of Thoroughbred Daily News that the trip may not work out.

The BHA said Royal Ascot would hold its usual spot on the calendar from June 16-20. However, there will be no spectators and it was noted the order of races could be changed. Any tweaks to the schedule “will be confirmed as soon as possible.”

A total of 20 Group and Listed races are on tap the first seven days of British racing’s reopening.

Additionally, the BHA announced the Epsom Derby and Oaks are on target for July 4 at Epsom. 

June 3-4

• Classic Trial (10f 3yo Group 3)
• Snowdrop (8f 3+ f Listed)
• Pavilion (6f 3yo Group 3)

June 5

• Abernant (6f 3+ Group 3)
• Brigadier Gerard (10f 4+ Group 3)
• Paradise (8f 3+ Listed)
• Lingfield Oaks Trial (11½f 3yo f Listed)
• Lingfield Derby Trial (11½f 3yo cg Listed)
• Coronation Cup (12f 4+ Group 1)

June 6

• 2,000 Guineas (8f 3yo cf Group 1)
• Dahlia (10f 4+ f Group 2, changed to 10f)
• Palace House (5f 3+ Group 3)
• Sagaro (16f 4+ Group 3)
• Newmarket (10f 3yo cg Listed)

• 1,000 Guineas (8f 3yo f Group 1)
• Pretty Polly (10f 3yo f Listed)
• Buckhounds (12f 4+ Listed)
• Cecil Frail (6f 3+ f Listed)
• Spring Trophy (7f 3+ Group 3)
• Pinnacle (12f 4+ f Group 3)