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| Staff Writer |
Field Of Gold delivered a spectacular redemption performance in the Gr.1 Irish Two Thousand Guineas at the Curragh, powering clear by three and three-quarter lengths to secure classic glory for Juddmonte and trainers John and Thady Gosden.
The grey son of Kingman had suffered heartbreak at Newmarket when finishing a half-length second to Ruling Court in the Two Thousand Guineas, but the switch to Ireland and a new jockey proved the perfect combination for a dominant display.
Colin Keane, taking over from Kieran Shoemark, produced a masterful ride on the Kingman colt, settling him beautifully throughout before unleashing a devastating turn of foot that left rivals trailing in his wake.
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The victory mirrored almost exactly the career path of Field Of Gold's illustrious sire. Kingman had endured similar disappointment at Newmarket in 2014 when beaten by Night of Thunder, only to bounce back with a five-length demolition in this very race for the same connections.
John Gosden was quick to draw comparisons between father and son, highlighting their shared ability to produce explosive acceleration when asked.
"That ability to be laid-back at home, half asleep and then when you press the button, they can turn it on. It's a great thing. Some Kingman's can be flighty, this is a very laid-back horse. It might be down to the man who reared him at Roundhill Stud here in Ireland."
The veteran trainer went further in his praise, suggesting Field Of Gold possesses the same exceptional qualities that made Kingman one of the finest milers of recent times.
"He's right up there with his father. I think he's as good as his father."
Starting from the outside stall nine, Field Of Gold faced potential complications, but Keane's patient approach proved inspired. The jockey settled his mount towards the rear of the field, allowing the colt to find his rhythm without expending unnecessary energy early.
As the field straightened for home, Keane began his move on the outside, and it quickly became apparent that he held the winning hand. The pair swept into second behind Windlord at the two-furlong marker before Field Of Gold hit top gear.
The acceleration was breathtaking. Field Of Gold hit the front and continued finding extra gears inside the final furlong, pulling further clear with every stride to register the widest winning margin in the race since his father's triumph eleven years earlier.
Cosmic Year, also carrying the Juddmonte silks, stayed on well for Harry Charlton to complete a one-two for the owners, while the Jessica Harrington-trained Hotazhell ran creditably to finish third on his seasonal return.
Gosden expressed particular satisfaction at proving Field Of Gold's classic credentials on the fair Curragh track, having harboured regrets about the Newmarket defeat.
"The Irish Guineas is on a very fair track, and I wanted to come here and prove he was a classic winner, so it was very important. I was sorry we got beat in the English Guineas, but he finished so well. To get on a plane and come here and see something different, he would have learned a lot from this."
The trainer also paid tribute to the Juddmonte operation, acknowledging their role in producing top-class horses like Field Of Gold.
"Juddmonte have some wonderful farms in Ireland, really good stock and have a lot of people employed. They are beautifully managed and controlled by Barry Mahon. To that extent, we have to be thankful to them because good horses don't drop out of the sky."
Despite the emphatic victory, Gosden admitted to pre-race nerves about Field Of Gold's enthusiastic temperament under a new rider.
"He seemed very fresh saddling and then we couldn't find a shammy, so we were late to the parade ring. In truth I was concerned he might over-race with no cover on the outside. I told Colin if he relaxes going down he should relax coming back, and he rode him just right."
Those concerns proved unfounded as Keane judged the pace perfectly, allowing Field Of Gold to showcase the explosive turn of foot that marks him out as something special.
"When he quickened, he went, didn't he? When he takes two or three strides, he's off."
The victory sets up an intriguing campaign for Field Of Gold, with connections already eyeing the Gr.1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot as the logical next step.
Following Kingman's hoofprints, Field Of Gold will aim to continue his classic campaign at the prestigious meeting, where he will face fresh challenges but armed with the confidence of this commanding performance.
Charlton indicated that Cosmic Year may also head to Ascot, though he felt the lack of pace had not suited his charge in this contest. Meanwhile, Harrington suggested the Gr.1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown could be on the agenda for Hotazhell.
For Field Of Gold, this explosive display firmly established him among the leading 3YO milers and provided compelling evidence that he possesses the class to follow his father's distinguished career path.