Field Of Gold Destroys St James's Palace Rivals

Emulating his sire Kingman in style as well as bare results, Field Of Gold got the Juddmonte-Colin Keane retainer off to a flyer at the highest level in today's Gr.1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 17th June 2025, by Tom Frary:

Making a mockery of the Royal Ascot rematch with his 2000 Guineas conqueror Ruling Court, the 8-11 favourite left him and the Gr.1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Henri Matisse trailing with his ruthless acceleration between the two and the one.

Like his sire going one better than Newmarket in the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas before confirming himself top dog here, the Gosdens' grey hit the line with three and a half lengths to spare over Henri Matisse, with Ruling Court staying on three and three-quarter lengths back in third.

“It was exciting, to say the least,” John Gosden said. “I thought he'd gone too soon, but he's a proper horse and we'll give him a holiday now.”

Labelled a TDN Rising Star when winning a time-honoured seven-furlong maiden at Newmarket's July Festival, Field Of Gold didn't necessarily shape like the behemoth he was to become in either of his next two juvenile starts but still managed to emulate his sire in winning the Gr.3 Solario Stakes at Sandown.

What the Craven told us was that here was a colt who was peaking at last and while his 2,000 Guineas defeat may remain a mystery like that of Kingman's own, his subsequent surge to pre-eminence is one of the season's main stories. This was a case of let it all play out ahead and let the race come to him, which it did heading to the two-furlong pole as Keane loomed on the outer full of running. Producing a rare burst when given the command, he was soon in the clear with the two other Guineas winners eventually spread out behind in one of the easiest races for the international handicappers to rate for some time. An elite runner who belongs up there with any of the race's bigwigs.

"He had always impressed as a two-year-old, but he was a big boy and slightly outgrew himself," Gosden Sr explained.

"We ran him in France, which was a mistake in the end. He was too free in front and didn't finish up. We should have run him in the Dewhurst, I regret that. Then this year he has been exemplary in everything he has done."

"It was never the plan to go to Ireland, so he's had a trial, two Guineas and this. It's a lot of racing and we're not even beginning to be halfway through the season," he added. "Maybe we will freshen and go to the Sussex, something like that. I think if he hadn't run in Ireland, I would have probably been keen to go to the Eclipse but when they win like that they are taking a lot out of themselves."

Colin Keane was able to relish the closing stages of his first big triumph under his retainer: "Good horses make it look easy," he said in typical humble fashion. He added: I thought Ryan was always going to be behind us somewhere. If anything, the leaders probably didn't bring us far enough and we got there plenty soon, but he's tough and genuine. I am fortunate enough to be riding him and, at this moment, he is the best horse I have sat on."