Blue Bunting (horse)

Blue Bunting
Racing silks of Godolphin
Sire	Dynaformer
Grandsire	Roberto
Dam	Miarixa
Damsire	Linamix
Sex	Mare
Foaled	20 March 2008
Country	United States
Colour	Grey
Breeder	B. M. Kelley
Owner	Godolphin
Trainer	Mahmood Al Zarooni
Record	8: 5-1-0
Earnings	£645,463
Major wins
1000 Guineas (2011) Irish Oaks (2011) Yorkshire Oaks (2011)

Blue Bunting (foaled 20 March 2008) is an American-bred, British-trained thoroughbred racehorse which won the classic 1000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse in 2011. In a racing career which lasted from July 2010 until September 2011 she won five of her eight races. After winning two of her three races in 2010, she was an upset winner of the 1000 Guineas on her first start as a three-year-old. She was beaten when favourite for the Epsom Oaks but returned to record further Group One successes in the Irish Oaks and the Yorkshire Oaks. She ran poorly in the St Leger in autumn and was retired to stud after sustaining an injury early in 2012.

Blue Bunting is a grey filly bred in Kentucky by B. M. Kelley. In August 2009, the yearling filly was consigned to the Saratoga sales where she was bought for $200,000 by Anthony Stroud, acting on behalf of Godolphin Racing. Her sire was the American stallion Dynaformer whose other progeny include Barbaro, Americain and Lucarno.

Blue Bunting ran three times as a two-year-old and was ridden on each occasion by Ahmed Ajtebi. On her debut at Newmarket Racecourse on 30 July she finished second in a seven furlong maiden race, five lengths behind the winner Theysken's Theory. Two weeks later she was moved up in distance for a one mile maiden at Doncaster Racecourse. She started the 6/4 favourite and recorded her first win by beating Midnight Caller by half a length. On 30 October, Blue Bunting stepped up in class to contest the Listed Montrose Stakes at Newmarket. She was sent to the front in the straight, and after being overtaken she rallied "gamely" to regain the lead and win by a length from the favourite Elas Diamond.