2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes The 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes was a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It was run over a distance of 7 furlongs (1,408 metres), and it was scheduled to take place each year in early April. The event was originally held at Ascot. The present grading system was introduced in 1971, and the race was classed at Group 3 level. It was staged at Newmarket in 1978, and transferred to Salisbury in 1979. It was discontinued after 1986. The race served as a trial for the 2000
2000 Guineas Stakes events for this age group, characterised by increasing distances as the season progressed, began to be known as "Classics". The concept was later adopted in many other countries. European variations of the 2000 Guineas include the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Mehl-Mülhens-Rennen, the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and the Premio Parioli. Elsewhere, variations include the Australian Guineas and the Satsuki Shō. The 2000 Guineas is served by trial races such as the Craven Stakes and the Greenham Stakes, but for some horses it is the first race of the season. The 2000 Guineas itself can act as a trial for the