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Was it a photo-finish when Brigadier Gerard beat Mill Reef in the 1971 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket?
Peter Rogers, Boston, Lincs


THE JUDGE: Brigadier Gerard, with Joe Mercer on board, beat Mill Reef by three lengths and going away in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Mill Reef, ridden by Geoff Lewis, won the Derby a month later.


On which course did Frankie Dettori first break the 200-winner barrier?
Brendan Bannister, Hereford

THE JUDGE: Dettori became only the sixth jockey to ride 200 winners in a season with a 67-1 treble at York on 1 September 1994. He won the jockey's championship that season with 233 winners. In the exclusive '200' club he joined Fred Archer, Tommy Loates, Sir Gordon Richards, Pat Eddery and Michael Roberts.


How many winners did Doug Smith ride, and how many times was he champion jockey?
Steve Quicke, Northampton

THE JUDGE: Doug Smith rode 3,111 winners between 1931 and 1967, and he was champion jockey nine times following the retirement of Sir Gordon Richards.


What has been the biggest winning margin between first and second in a Classic?
John Wright, Plymouth

THE JUDGE: Mayonaisse, ridden by George Fordharn, won the 1,000 Guineas by 20 lengths in 1859. There were four runners in the field.


When was the first English Classic staged during a Sunday meeting?
Nancy Thomson, Burnley

THE JUDGE: The 1,000 Guineas was run at Newmarket on Sunday, 7 May 1995. There was on-course betting and betting shops opened also for the first time on a Sunday. Harayi (5-1) won the race.

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