Field of Gold Explosive in Irish 2,000 Guineas Victory

Field of Gold (IRE) may have inherited his sire Kingman (GB)'s Newmarket misfortune, but a proclivity to sparkle at the Curragh was also bequeathed as he blasted clear by 3 3/4 lengths in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) May 24, the first Irish classic of the season, for Juddmonte and John and Thady Gosden. The colt registered the widest winning margin since his father's demolition job 11 years ago for the same connections. The explosive gray announced himself on the big stage in last month's Craven Stakes (G3) when bursting 3 1/2 lengths clear with a thunderous change of gear, but that turn of foot took an extra few strides to kick in when he approached the dip traveling powerfully in the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket this month, which resulted in him running out of road and suffering an excruciating half-length defeat to Ruling Court. 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 (IRE) in 2014. However, he bounced back in spectacular fashion when charging five lengths clear in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas for John Gosden, before going on to land another three consecutive group 1s at Ascot, Goodwood, and Deauville. This performance could prove every bit as seminal for Field of Gold's career. Apart from the initial trajectory of their 3-year-old seasons, what other similarities do the winner and his esteemed father share? Plenty, according to one person who would definitely know. "That ability to be laid-back at home, half asleep and then when you press the button, they can turn it on," said John Gosden. "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. "He's right up there with his father. I think he's as good as his father." A bold statement, but far from fanciful. The evidence is compelling. Colin Keane, who was steering home his second winner of the race in the Juddmonte colors after his Siskin masterclass in 2020, was riding him for the first time and the pair fused beautifully. The winner has a tendency to race enthusiastically and had to negotiate the outside stall 9, but a lack of cover did not complicate matters as Keane had him in a wonderfully serene rhythm positioned one from the rear throughout. Straightening for home, the pair began to breeze forward on the outside and it was soon apparent that Keane was merely hovering his finger above a button that was going to settle this contest in a matter of seconds. He slammed down on it as the pair whizzed into second behind Windlord (GB) passing the two-furlong pole, setting sail plenty early but there was little logic in disappointing his mount, who seemed to be determined to show himself off after the misfortune of Newmarket. Shortly after, he flew to the front and began finding gear after gear inside the final furlong, going further clear with each stride ahead of the staying-on Cosmic Year (GB) for Harry Charlton, who completed a one-two for owners Juddmonte. The Jessica Harrington-trained Hotazhell (GB) did best of the home team, beaten another three-quarters of a length into third on his seasonal return. While Charlton bemoaned a lack of pace and would like a rematch in the June 17 St James's Palace Stakes (G1), Harrington felt Hotazhell "lacked a bit of race fitness" and gave the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown July 5 as a potential option. Gosden recalled some hard-luck stories at the Curragh in days gone by and reserved special praise for the Juddmonte operation. "We won this race with his father and I do remember coming here years ago with The Minstrel when I was working for Vincent O'Brien," Gosden said. "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. 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. They grow in stature and mentality, and Colin rode him beautifully." Misplaced enthusiasm on Field of Gold's part under a new rider seemed to be the only concern for connections, especially given he was a bit too revved up for Guineas redemption before the race. Gosden added: "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. "When he quickened, he went, didn't he? When he takes two or three strides, he's off." Where next? It is fairly straightforward. He will continue to follow in Kingman's footsteps and head to the St James' Palace for which he ended the day at evens with Betfair. He will not get the same opportunity as his father in terms of exacting revenge on his Newmarket conqueror, but it will be little surprise to see him continue on the same thrilling trajectory.