Aidan O’Brien has dominated recent renewals of the Qipco 2000 Guineas but it was his old master Jim Bolger who recorded his second victory in the classic at the age of 79 on Saturday, hailing Poetic’s Flare’s success “right up there with the best days we’ve had.”

That’s a big call from the owner-breeder who trained the likes of St Jovite, Alexander Goldrun, Finsceal Beo and New Approach. Uniquely, Poetic Flare is by Dawn Approach, who was Bolger’s first (and previous) winner of this race in 2013.

“I think the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket is the best race in the world and to be able to win it really means a lot,” Bolger told journalists from his Carlow base after the race.

“It’s a wonderful day. In our case it’s fairly necessary with the way I do things! It very much carries on that Dawn Approach line, and I have two half-sisters of Poetic Flare as well.

Poetic Flare just managed to see off Master Of The Seas, a Godolphin horse trained by Charlie Appleby, with Jessica Harrington’s Lucky Vega running an excellent race in a close third.

Poetic Flare could go for the Irish 2000 Guineas next, but Bolger is also considering that race for his Vertem Futurity winner Mac Swiney

The winner needed all the craft and experience from his 54-year-old rider Kevin Manning, son-in-law to Bolger, who became the oldest classic-winning jockey since Lester Piggott, who won the same race at the age of 56.

Poetic Flare could go for the Irish 2000 Guineas next, but Bolger is also considering that race for his Vertem Futurity winner Mac Swiney, who he says is very closely matched to his now classic-winning stablemate.

Aidan O’Brien was out of luck in the race with all three of his horses disappointing but he did manage to win the 1000 Guineas with Mother Earth, who used all her experience to win a likely below average renewal under Frankie Dettori.

O’Brien’s other filly Santa Barbara, heavily backed in recent weeks, finished a close-up fourth.