06/05/2024
United Kingdom
Newmarket
2000 Guineas Day
There were surprises a plenty as World Pool returned with its first fixture of the 2024 UK Flat Season, on 2000 Guineas Day from Newmarket.
Most of the hype surrounding the first British Classic of the season was around the Coolmore-owned Aidan O’Brien-trained City of Troy, who was sent off odds-on for the race, but ultimately failed to fire, finishing a well-beaten ninth.
It was instead Godolphin who triumphed with trainer Charlie Appleby landing a second 2000 Guineas and jockey William Buick a first aboard Notable Speech.
However, it was the preceding race, the G3 Palace House Stakes which saw the George Scott-trained Seven Questions last home in a thrilling finish to the 1000m contest, which was chosen as the World Pool Moment of the Day.
It was a performance that marked a significant milestone for groom Darren Yellowlees, with Seven Questions being the first Group winner he’d looked after in 32 years working in racing.
Collecting the prize in person on the following day at Newmarket, Yellowlees reflected on the performance and what it meant to receive recognition from World Pool: “It was a brilliant day, an excellent day for the horse, for the team, for the yard. I love it [bringing horses racing], it’s nice to be here, especially on occasions like this.
“He’s got a few quirks about him but he’s starting to grow up a little bit now, and he behaved himself yesterday – that’s the main thing!
“I left home – Scotland – at 16 and went straight into racing. Every win to me is a big win, but I’ve been in racing 32 years now and he’s the first Group winner I’ve ever looked after.
“Thank you so much. It’s a huge amount of money. I’ve got two boys, so they’ll spend the majority of my money!”
Yellowlees now has the chance to win a VIP trip to Hong Kong if Seven Questions victory is chosen as the World Pool Moment of the Year.
Turnover from World Pool bet types across the nine races on 2000 Guineas Day hit HK$273.9 million.
Darren Yellowlees has worked in racing for 32 years and yesterday had his first big winner with Seven Questions in the G3 Palace House Stakes, and also won the World Pool Moment of the Day!
