William Buick 'probably' in line for Field Of Gold ride despite cheeky request from Frankie Dettori

John Gosden has given the broadest hint yet that William Buick is uppermost in his mind to come in for the ride aboard Field Of Gold in the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

The joint-trainer of Field Of Gold was asked by ITV Racing's Matt Chapman at Newmarket on Saturday afternoon whether William Buick was the most likely replacement for Juddmonte's retained rider Colin Keane, who misses Goodwood after picking up a 14-day whip ban at Sandown. 

"Probably yes," Gosden replied, before adding: "Someone like William, yeah. But look, we'll wait and see, we haven't got near the race yet."

William Buick has been in fantastic form at Newmarket's July festivalCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

He then teased Chapman by revealing that he had received an amusing text from an old ally across the Atlantic, though he hastily pointed out it had been sent as a joke.

"I got a picture from Saratoga of a man lighting a candle in a Catholic church, with underneath it [written] 'please can I have the ride?' You know who's in Saratoga? Lanfranco Dettori."

The identity of Field Of Gold's rider has been a key talking point for much of the Flat season, first when his defeat to Ruling Court in the 2,000 Guineas effectively cost Kieran Shoemark his job as first jockey to the Gosden team, and now with Keane's suspension. 

Field Of Gold is now the joint highest-rated horse in the world after being given an official mark of 127 in the latest Longines Worlds Best Racehorse Rankings, tied with stablemate Ombudsman and Japanese dirt star Forever Young.

Sussex Stakes (July 30, Goodwood)

bet365: 4-7 Field Of Gold, 4 Rosallion, 8 Henri Matisse, 10 The Lion In Winter, 12 Notable Speech, 16 Docklands, 20 bar

Read more:

Field Of Gold ride up for grabs in Sussex as Juddmonte say 'no decision' made after Colin Keane is handed 14-day suspension 

'He's got a proper turn of foot' - York on Aidan O'Brien's radar for Eclipse hero Delacroix teeing up sizzling Field Of Gold showdown 

York 'thrilled' with star-studded Juddmonte International entries ahead of world's best race at next month's Ebor festival

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