Group win for juvenile Field Of Gold

Juddmonte two-year-old Field Of Gold emulated his sire Kingman, winning the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown on Saturday (31st August).

Taken from the Racing Post, 1st September 2024, by Lewis Porteus:

For the second day in succession at Sandown, the Juddmonte silks were carried to victory by a juvenile with a seemingly bright future as Field Of Gold burst from the peloton to land the Group 3 Solario Stakes in style.

On Friday, Jonquil overcame trouble in running to make an eyecatching winning debut for the powerful owner-breeders, who already have the Group 1-winning two-year-old Babouche among their ranks in Ireland. Field Of Gold held off the fast-finishing Matauri Bay by three-quarters of a length and will now bid to secure his own top-level honours this season, but connections are hopeful that next year will see the substantial son of Kingman at his zenith.

"He's very exciting," said Juddmonte's racing manager Barry Mahon. "He's always shown great potential at home and it's nice to see him finally deliver it on the track. He'll stay a mile, but he has acceleration and a very good turn of foot. He's a big horse – 16 hands – and is going to be better as he strengthens. Hopefully he'll make a better three-year-old."

Field Of Gold was cut to 14-1 (from 25) with Paddy Power for next year's 2,000 Guineas, but he will not head into hibernation for the winter before a tilt at the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day at Longchamp. "The Lagardere looks the obvious plan," said Mahon. "The two-year-olds have been exciting and Jonquil did it very well yesterday. In general we have a good bunch. They're led by Babouche in Ireland, who is a Group 1 winner, so it's been an exciting year. The mental maturity Jonquil showed to get up and win yesterday means he's definitely a horse who could step into stakes company next time."

Field Of Gold gave trainer John Gosden a record seventh win in the Solario, one more than Sir Henry Cecil, and a second success in partnership with his son Thady, who is already looking forward to next year.

"He's done most of that on natural ability and it looked like a deep field today, so hopefully he should keep on improving," said Thady Gosden. "There's plenty of scope for improvement and he's got a fantastic mind. He's very laid-back about life, which will help him develop."

Victory provided Kieran Shoemark with his fourth victory at Group level since taking over from Frankie Dettori as first rider to the Gosdens and, after a low-key start to his tenure at Clarehaven Stables, could now have a live contender for next year's Classics. "With his mentality and demeanour, he's got all the right attributes," said the winning rider. "He's very laid-back and there's no doubt he'll stay a mile."