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Field of Gold emulates Kingman in Irish 2,000 Guineas
Going The Distance ridden by Rossa Ryan in action before winning the 15:05 King George V Stakes in Ascot, Britain, on June 20, 2024.
Field Of Gold (Colin Keane 4-5), may have inherited his sire Kingman's Newmarket misfortune, but a proclivity to sparkle at the Curragh was also bequeathed as he blasted clear in the 2,000 Guineas.
John and Thady Gosden's beautiful explosive, grey, scored the widest winning margin since his father's demolition plant, 11 years ago.
Field of Gold announced himself on the big stage in last month's Craven, although, more recently, Newmarket's dip took a small toll, where he seconded Ruling Court by a fraction, in their Classic edition. Kingman was one of the best milers we have seen and he suffered an eerily analogous heartbreak at Newmarket when denied by Night Of Thunder.
However, he bounced back in spectacular fashion when amassing five lengths in the Irish 2,000 Guineas for John Gosden, before going on to bag Ascot, Goodwood, and, Deauville, goodies.
This performance could prove every bit as seminal for Field Of Gold's career. Apart from the initial trajectory of their three-year-old seasons, what other similarities do these two, share? That ability to be laid back at home, half asleep and turn it on with just a pressing button. It's a great thing. He has a tendency to race enthusiastically and had to negotiate the outside stall nine, but a lack of cover did not complicate matters as Colin had him in a wonderfully serene rhythm positioned one from the rear throughout. They clocked 1:36:5/10 over a mile.
The pair began to breeze forward, questions were asked and answered. Windlord had set sail early-ish, but there was little logic in disappointing Goldy, who seemed to be determined for some flourish. Shortly after, he whizzed to the front and began finding gear after gear, going further clear with each stride ahead of Cosmic Year (Oisin Murphy 4-1).
Harry Charlton completed a one-two for Juddmonte. Jessica Harrington's. Hotazhell (Shane Foley 9-1), did best of the home team, for third place. While Charlton bemoaned a lack of pace and may get a rematch in the St James's Palace Stakes, Jessica felt Hotazhell lacked a bit of race fitness, giving the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown a potential option. Juddmonte, controlled by Bary Mahon, have some wonderful farms in Ireland, really good stock and many people employed.
Officer (Ryan Moore 9-2), and Expanded (Wayne Lordan 28-1), left Aiden O'Brien speechless, as he thought they would be right in the mix. Seventh and ninth, respectively, was all that could be achieved.