'They showed their class' - Mawj puts Murphy and Bin Suroor back in the big time after epic Tahiyra 1,000 Guineas battle

Both Saeed bin Suroor and Oisin Murphy have celebrated Classic success in the past but few victories at the summit of the sport will rate more precious than Mawj's win in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.

Bin Suroor reckoned it was his 195th worldwide Group 1 but it was a first in Britain since Farhh landed the 2013 Champion Stakes and a first strike in a British Classic since Mastery scored in the 2009 St Leger.

For Murphy it represented a chance to bring closure to a 14-month ban for breaching rules relating to Covid, conduct prejudicial to the sport’s reputation and two positive alcohol tests. He only returned to the saddle in February yet less than three months later he was back in the Classic spotlight.

"I know Frankie Dettori said yesterday that it's beyond dreams to win such big races, but for me to win this having not been back very long is incredible," said Murphy. "I got a huge buzz out of that because these are such important races.

"On so many important days Saeed has been a huge supporter and thanks to him and his team for giving me the leg up. I'm super relieved really."

Mawj (Oisin Murphy) beats Tahiyra (Chris Hayes) in the 1,000 GuineasCredit: Edward Whitaker

Despite 20 runners contesting the first Classic of the year for fillies in Britain, the 1,000 Guineas turned into a duel between last season's champion two-year-old Tahiyra, making just the third start of her career, and Mawj, a filly small in stature but big on experience with five runs to her name at two and two more in the sunshine of Dubai already this year.

Mawj led into the Dip, Tahiyra joined her coming out of it but while the eventual winner edged her rival to the right, she always seemed to be holding the runner-up at bay as the line approached. Just half a length separated the pair in the end but the fact it was seven and a half lengths back to Matilda Picotte in third suggested two exceptional fillies had fought out the finish.

"It is lovely to see a Classic like that when they go clear and show their class," said Murphy. "I was watching Mawj's replays again this morning and was thinking did she really win by eight and a half lengths last time in Meydan, and why did she win so easily? She is clearly just exceptional. Tahiyra is also top class and it was miles back to the rest of the field."

Bin Suroor, who led the way in Britain when Godolphin emerged as a global force on racing's landscape at the turn of the millennium, has had to sit back and watch fellow Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby dominate in recent seasons. Appleby has repeatedly enjoyed top-level winners across the globe, including two triumphs in the Derby, but Bin Suroor never gave up hope of discovering another champion like Mawj.

"Charlie and myself are a good team," said Bin Suroor. "He worked for me for a long time and he has become one of the best trainers now. We are good friends.

“This means a lot as it has been a long time since we won a Classic in England. It means a lot to myself, Godolphin and the sport also. To find a good horse with a smaller number of horses you have to be lucky.

“When we started we had very good horses in those days but recently things have been slow with the quality of horses but luckily, when I saw this filly start to work, she showed her class."

Oisin Murphy celebrates with trainer Saeed bin Suroor after riding Mawj to win the 1,000 GuineasCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Not just because of who trained her, Mawj's win represented a throwback to the way Godolphin used to target the Guineas. Having wintered in Dubai, she has been back in Britain less than a month but race fit from the Dubai carnival, she was at the top of her game.

"I think this is my 195th Group 1 winner around the world," said the trainer. "She is a tiny filly but she has a big heart. Her pedigree has plenty of speed, but we tried her over the mile in Dubai and she got it well.

"I talked to Sheikh Mohammed before we declared her and he agreed to run her. It was a great decision from him and the filly has won well. It's a great boost for the stable."

The winner, who holds an entry in the French and Irish 1,000 Guineas, was promoted to 6-4 favourite with Paddy Power for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and, while unsure in which direction she is heading, Suroor said the winner was destined to stay at a mile.

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Tom Segal tipped 1,000 Guineas winner Mawj at 20-1 - subscribe now with 50% off and don't miss out 

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