Sheikh Mohammed won the Group 1 English 1000 Guineas for the first time since 2002 when Blue Bunting swooped down the grandstand rail at Newmarket on Sunday.

Blue Bunting (3f Dynaformer – Miarixa by Linamix) scored by three-quarters of a length under a perfectly-timed Frankie Dettori ride.  She defeated Coolmore filly Together (Galileo) and the Sheikh Hamdan homebred Maqaasid (Green Desert).

The American bred filly became the first classic winner for trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni who is second in charge of the Blue Army behind Saeed bin Suroor.  “That’s very, very special and I must thank Sheikh Mohammed,” he said.  “Blue Bunting has done very well but I still think she’s more of an Oaks filly.”

Bookmaker William Hill firmed Blue Bunting from 25-1 into a 3-1 favourite for the English Oaks next month.  German bred filly Kazzia completed the 1000 Guineas – Oaks double for Godolphin nine years ago.

Blue Bunting is the latest stakes winner by Three Chimneys stallion Dynaformer (Roberto).  He is also the sire of 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain.

Dynaformer was a G2 winner up to 2000m at Gulfstream and Aqueduct.  His half-sister Alvear (Seattle Slew) is the dam of Darley stallion Offlee Wild (Wild Again) who was North America’s Champion 2YO sire in 2009.  

Another half-sister My Annette (Red Ransom) is the dam of US Ranger (Danzig) who covered his first Australian book at Rangal Park last year.

Blue Bunting was a $200,000 buy at the Saratoga yearling sale in August 2009.  She is the third and last foal for Miarixa following minor winners by Dr Fong and Gulch.

Second dam Mrs Arkada (Akarad) was a Listed winner of the Prix Isola Bella at Evry.  Her winners include Maisons-Laffitte Listed winner Marque Royale (Royal Academy).