Godolphin homebred Mawj, a half sister to reigning U.S. champion turf male Modern Games, elevated her career to the next level by winning the Qipco 1000 Guineas (G1) Sunday at Newmarket after winning two races from as many starts in Dubai earlier this year.
Ridden by Oisin Murphy, Mawj faced a tough field in the one-mile classic race for 3-year-old fillies, with Group 1 winners Tahiyra and Meditate in opposition, as well as Fairy Cross and Dream Of Love, both beaten by Mawj at Meydan.
It was Tahiyra who laid down the toughest challenge, battling with Mawj through the final furlong. Tahiyra momentarily appeared to have the measure of Mawj, who willingly dug down in the closing strides and scored by a half length. She finished the trip in 1:37.92 on soft turf.
“There is nothing better; to win it is unbelievable,” said Murphy. “Thank you to the trainer and his staff, they did all the hard work.”
Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Mawj enjoyed a profitable winter in Dubai, landing the Jumeirah Fillies' Classic in January, followed by the Jumeirah Fillies' Guineas at a mile in February. The daughter of Exceed And Excel returned to Newmarket from the United Arab Emirates just two weeks before the Guineas.
Bin Suroor, winning his 13th British classic and 195th global Group or Grade 1, added: “It's great to come and win the Guineas, it's a good result for us.
“She's a tough filly and she's a nice filly over this trip, although if you look at her size and her pedigree it's all speed. She's a Group 2 winner (Duchess of Cambridge last July at Newmarket on debut ) and she's unbeaten in Dubai. I spoke to Sheikh Mohammed [Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai] before we ran her a mile in Dubai and she won it well. The Irish 1,000 Guineas (G1) could be an option, but we will talk to Sheikh Mohammed and make a decision after a week.”
Bred in Ireland, Mawj was produced by the New Approach mare Modern Ideals. She is a half sister to Godophin's' 2022 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) (French 2000 Guineas) victor, Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) winner, and U.S. champion Modern Games (by Dubawi) and is Godolphin's fourth winner of the 1,000 Guineas following Cape Verdi (1998), Kazzia (2002), and Blue Bunting (2011).
The post Mawj, Half Sister To U.S. Champion Modern Games, Denies Tahiyra In Epic Battle For 1000 Guineas appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
