The Irish 2,000 Guineas winner defeated the winners of the French and British 2.000 Guineas in style in their showdown in the St James’s Palace Stakes
A clash among three Classic champions produced one emphatic winner when Field Of Gold triumphed in the St James’s Palace Stakes. The Group 1 race over 1m for three-year-old colts provides an annual meeting of the winners of the 2,000 Guineas, Irish 2,000 Guineas and French 2,000 Guineas.
Godolphin’s Ruling Court narrowly defeated Field Of Gold at Newmarket, but the grey atoned at the Curragh to capture the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Aidan O’Brien’s Henri Matisse was the winner of the French 2,000 Guineas, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains.
The trio were closely matched on form but finished wide apart at Ascot as 8-11 favourite Field Of Gold swept to a three and a half length victory from Henri Matisse with Ruling Court three and three quarter lengths back in third.
The winner provided six-time Irish champion jockey Colin Keane with his first Group 1 victory in his new role as first jockey to Juddmonte. Keane got the job after Kieran Shoemark, who rode the colt at Newmarket, was dropped by the Gosden stable in the wake of his big race defeat.
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Keane said: “Good horses make it look easy. It was a good renewal of the race. He was very good at the Curragh and very good today
“We got there plenty soon enough but he is tough and genuine, He’s a good horse. I’m fortunate to be riding him and at this moment he’s the best horse I’ve sat on. I’m in a very privileged position. These colours are iconic. To get a Group 1 so soon is special.”
John Gosden indicated Field Of Gold would have his next start in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and then move up in distance for the Juddmonte International at York.
He said: “It was exciting to say the least. When he kicked I thought he’d gone too soon. He’s a proper horse, it means a lot and we’ll give him a holiday now.”
Ruling Court, who was taken out of the Derby on the day of the race because of the soft ground, could meet him at York.
Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “He was never really travelling comfortably. William said getting off him today he would never have felt he was a Guineas winner.
“We were prepping to go to the Derby and withdrew on the day. One thing we will be doing from now on is stepping him up in trip. Working back from the Juddmonte would be the most likely target.”