Guineas greats: six stars from years gone by to do the big double

We are in for an eventful weekend regardless, but if Churchill or Winter conquer at the Curragh they could find themselves going down in history, as not since 2007 have both a colt and a filly completed the British and Irish Guineas double in the same year. Since the millennium only five fillies and six colts have tried, and here we profile those who completed it . . .

Rock Of Gibraltar, 2002

Rock Of Gibraltar was an exceptional miler. He won the Railway, Gimcrack, Grand Criterium and Dewhurst Stakes at two before denying Hawk Wing in a thrilling renewal of the 2,000 Guineas. He went over to the Curragh for what can only be described as a cakewalk, beating Century City by a length and a half on the bridle.

Sir Alex Ferguson's colt followed up in the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Sussex Stakes and the Prix du Moulin. Rock Of Gibraltar was the model miler – he had a high cruising speed, an electric turn of foot, and his versatility made him deadly. It is no surprise he managed to do what so many couldn’t.

Cockney Rebel, 2007

Cockney Rebel didn't follow the script. After winning his maiden he didn't win again in his next two starts, although he did get to within half a length of winning the Champagne Stakes. Such was his profile, he was sent off at 25-1 for the English Guineas, but he reversed the Doncaster form with Vital Equine to provide one of the modern day Classic shocks.

He was sent off the 6-4 favourite in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and won comfortably by a length, but could only manage fifth on his final start in the St James's Palace Stakes behind Excellent Art.

Henrythenavigator, 2008

In winning the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot Henrythenavigator did something even Rock Of Gibraltar couldn't do, but he was then beaten in both the Phoenix and Futurity Stakes at two. In the latter the epic rivalry between him and New Approach was born, a narrative that would illuminate the 2008 Flat season. New Approach was sent off the 11-8 favourite at Newmarket, but Henrythenavigator stepped up to the plate and after a prolonged battle in the final furlong and got up to win by a nose.

New Approach was again sent off favourite at the Curragh, but there was little doubt about the result this time as Henrythenavigator eased to success. Like Rock Of Gibraltar, Henrythenavigator claimed the St James's Palace and Sussex Stakes, but he was no match for Goldikova in the Moulin and found only Raven’s Pass too great in the QEII and Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Gleneagles, 2015

Despite gaining a reputation as a bit of a circus act, what Gleneagles achieved when he did reach the track was nothing short of spectacular. Like former Ballydoyle greats Rock Of Gibraltar and Henrythenavigator, Gleneagles was prolific at two, winning the Tyros, Futurity and National Stakes without breaking sweat before finishing first past the post in the Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Gleneagles: probably never got the credit he deservedCredit: Caroline Norris

He was far superior to Territories and Ivawood in the British Guineas, before negotiating a troubled passage on ground softer than ideal in the Irish equivalent. Again contemptuous in the St James’s Palace Stakes, Gleneagles was then beaten in the QEII and Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Attraction, 2004

She was known as the ugly duckling with a sparkling talent. Attraction was nothing special to look at, and had an unusual action, but what she lacked in looks she made up for in talent. Quick enough to win the Queen Mary on her fourth start as a two-year-old, she then won the Cherry Hinton by five lengths, retaining her unbeaten record in scintillating fashion.

Sent off at 11-2 for the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket the following May, she proved she had courage to match her class, making all and holding off the fast-finishing Sundrop. It was a similar story at the Curragh, as she led from the outset, but this time comfortably held Alexander Goldrun by a length. She went on to claim the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, as well as the Sun Chariot and the Matron Stakes.

Attraction and Kevin Darley after winning the Irish 1,000 GuineasCredit: Caroline Norris

Finsceal Beo, 2007

If Attraction was ironically unattractive, Finsceal Beo was destined to be good. She suffered a hairline fracture after breaking her maiden at Leopardstown, but ended the season with an emphatic win in the Marcel Boussac. After carrying a penalty to win the Rockfel, the Guineas was as uncomplicated a Classic you will ever see, as she bagged the lead on the rail two furlongs from home and cantered clear of Arch Swing and Simply Perfect.

She was agonisingly denied by Darjina in the French Guineas, but made amends in the Irish equivalent to beat Dimenticata and Peeping Fawn. That was to be her last win, for all she got to within one and a quarter lengths of Duke Of Marmalade in the Tattersalls Gold Cup a year later.

Winning isn’t everything . . .

If either Churchill or Winter are denied this weekend, worry not. Since the year 2000, two colts have won the first leg and not the second, but it certainly didn't stop them becoming stars of their generation.

George Washington pulverised the field on the Rowley Mile but could only manage second behind Araafa in the Irish version in 2006. After a luckless few runs, he enjoyed one of his career highlights in the QEII, prompting Mick Kinane to say "I've ridden good ones, but none better."

Gorgeous George: was regarded as one of the best horses Mick Kinane ever rode

Galileo Gold was the only other horse to try and fail in that time period, and he turned the tables in Awtaad in an epic St James's Palace Stakes which was regarded as the race of the 2016 royal meeting.

Only a select few fillies have tried to do the double in recent years, as both Virginia Waters (2005) and Homecoming Queen (2011) have tried since the millennium, finishing eighth and fourth respectively.

But alas, if superstar Minding can manage to get beat in the Irish 1,000 Guineas after walking to victory in the first leg, only to win five Group 1s in the same season, I doubt Aidan O'Brien will be too disheartened if Winter doesn't come home in front.