Afraid to take on Field Of Gold? Take advantage of other markets by backing this horse to follow him home

We can define perfection through quantitative measures in some sports. A 180 is the zenith in darts, a hole in one is unrivalled in golf and snooker’s greatest individual feat is the 147 break. It is impalpable in horseracing, although Field Of Gold came closer than most to achieving it with an exemplary performance in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Quantitative means can at least be used to understand Field Of Gold’s brilliance. The 131 Racing Post Rating he turned in at Royal Ascot was the highest since Baaeed ruled the roost in 2022. He put himself firmly among the elite, with Ghaiyyath (2020), Cracksman (2017 and 2018) and Golden Horn (2015) the only British-trained horses to equal or exceed that 131 RPR in the past decade. 

An outstanding rating can only be truly earned if the visual impression is supported by the clock. In the St James's Palace, Field Of Gold travelled effortlessly off a strong pace and powered home to record a time that was 0.79s faster than par.