Glorious Field Of Gold wins battle of the Guineas winners with devastating display

Field Of Gold came out on top in the clash of the 2,000 Guineas winners as he landed the St James's Palace Stakes in great style at Ascot, staking his claim to be the best three-year-old in Europe.

He had won the Irish 2,000 at the Curragh last month and was sent off 8-11 favourite to reverse the form with Ruling Court, who had beaten him at Newmarket earlier in May.

And the colt did the job emphatically, always travelling strongly, hitting the front entering the last two furlongs and bursting clear under Colin Keane.

He was not at all hard pressed to pass the post three and a half lengths clear of French 2,000 Guineas winner Henri Matisse (4-1) in second.

Ruling Court (4-1), who was pushed along some way out, was another three and three-quarter lengths away in third.

It was a hugely important success for Keane, who has just been appointed to the job as number one jockey for Field Of Gold's owners Juddmonte.

Field Of Gold, who is trained by John and Thady Gosden, was bought for €530,000 as a foal and this victory took his earnings to well over £800,000. 

What the winning rider said

Colin Keane said: "Good horses make it look easy. It was a very good renewal of the race. He was very good at the Curragh and he was very good again today.

"We got there plenty soon but he's tough and genuine. He's a good horse. I'm in a very privileged position, to have a Group 1 winner as their first rider so soon is brilliant."

What the winning owner said

Prince Saud of Juddmonte said: "We are very fortunate to have a horse of this calibre, not only winning but the style by which he won was very impressive wasn't it?

"Being a son of Kingman makes it even more of a value to all of us. It is Prince Khalid's legacy and I think we are seeing a marvellous achievement today and I'm very thankful for the trainer and the jockey and all the Juddmonte staff; we are all very indebted to them.

"I hope everyone enjoyed it, I hope it has contributed to horseracing at large, he's a wonderful horse."

What the others said:

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Henri Matisse, said: "We’re very happy; he ran a very good race. You’re never happy when you get beat, but he still ran a very good race. I think we will stay at a mile. We had it in our heads that he would go to the Sussex Stakes after, so we’ll see, but that’s what was in our heads.”

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Ruling Court, said: "William said he was never really travelling comfortably. At this level you need to be able to get up there and travel on the bridle and give your horse a breather to try to go through those gears that are needed at the business end."

Ante-post reaction

Field Of Gold is evens favourite for the Sussex Stakes (from 4) with Paddy Power.

Read these next:

Aidan O'Brien wins 11th Coventry with Gstaad - but says his best juvenile and 'the most different horse we've ever seen' is still at home 

'I thought it was easier to throw it away!' - Docklands jockey drops whip but still denies Rosallion in a photo-finish thriller 

'It all fell into place. It means a lot' - American Affair provides Jim Goldie with first Group 1 and Royal Ascot winner 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.