St James's Palace Stakes
 QuinnBet
(British Champions Series)
Group 1, Ascot 16:20
£650,000 guaranteed,
3yo only, 7f 213y, Class 1   
Tuesday 17th June 2025

1 Field Of Gold 8/11F
2 Henri Matisse 4/1
3 Ruling Court 4/1
7 ran Distances: 3½l, 3¾l, 2¾l
Time: 1m 38.41s (fast by 0.79s)

If there were any lingering doubts about the identity of the season’s standout miler, Field Of Gold swept them away with imperious ease, sauntering home three and a half lengths clear to confirm his supremacy.

A son of Kingman, who lit up this race in 2014, Field Of Gold arrived off the back of a commanding Irish 2,000 Guineas win and was backed accordingly into 8/11 favouritism, despite the reappearance of his Newmarket conqueror Ruling Court. The market spoke with conviction—and the horse did too, in fluent, emphatic fashion.

There was no moment of jeopardy. No need for Colin Keane to dig into the depths. The Juddmonte number one was motionless until it mattered, and even then the mildest squeeze produced a turn of foot the rest simply couldn’t match. Henri Matisse kept on into second without ever threatening, and Ruling Court stayed on at one pace for third, his spring promise beginning to blur.

For John Gosden, this was vindication and confirmation rolled into one. “That was a proper performance,” he said, watching the replay with that familiar blend of scrutiny and satisfaction. “Colin had so much horse I was a bit worried we’d gone too soon—it is Ascot, after all. But I looked back, and nothing was coming. That told the story.”

There was reflection too. “We made mistakes with him last year. Ran him in France when we probably shouldn’t have. He’s a big, scopey horse who was just growing into himself. We didn’t go to the Dewhurst and I regret that—but this year, he’s been spot on every time.”

Three runs already—a trial, two Guineas, and now Ascot—and Gosden hinted at a well-earned breather before Sussex Stakes discussions begin. “He makes it look easy, but that doesn’t mean it is. There’s only so much gas in the tank. The Eclipse is probably a step too quick after this.”

For Colin Keane, still in the early chapters of his Juddmonte partnership, this was the kind of ride jockeys dream about. “I had the right horse in the right place,” he said with typical understatement. “He’s just different class. This was a strong race—three Guineas winners—and he’s beaten them decisively.”

Asked if he’d sat on anything better, the answer was as swift as Field Of Gold’s turn of foot: “No. Not even close.”

His Highness Prince Saud bin Khalid, representing Juddmonte, was visibly moved. “It’s a wonderful moment. Not just the win, but the manner of it. He’s a son of Kingman, so it’s very meaningful for the whole team. This is part of Prince Khalid’s legacy, and we hope it brings joy to racing fans.”

The form behind the winner offered few excuses. Henri Matisse, from the Aidan O’Brien yard, lost little in defeat. “He ran a very good race,” said the Ballydoyle maestro. “We’ll stay at a mile and probably look to the Sussex.”

Charlie Appleby was philosophical about Ruling Court, who looked flat-footed when it counted. “William [Buick] said he never really travelled,” he admitted. “We’ve always felt a mile and a quarter might be more his game, and that’s where we’re heading now. The Juddmonte International becomes the likely target.”

On a day of clarity in the mile division, one truth now stands above the rest: Field Of Gold is out on his own. Strong, settled, and seemingly still improving—just like his sire. His generation has a new standard bearer, and the rest, it seems, are racing for second.

St James's Palace Stakes (Group 1)
£650,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 7f 213y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (5)     Field Of Gold 3 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Colin Keane 8/11F
2 (1) 3½ Henri Matisse 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 4/1
3 (2) 3¾ Ruling Court 3 9-2 Charlie Appleby William Buick 4/1
4 (6) 2¾ Rashabar 3 9-2 Brian Meehan Sean Levey 25/1
5 (7) nk Officer 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Wayne Lordan 20/1
6 (4) ½ Windlord 3 9-2 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 80/1
7 (3) 7 First Wave 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Dylan Browne McMonagle 100/1

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THE ST JAMES'S PALACE STAKES
Past Results

2024-WINNER-ROSALLION Richard Hannon Sean Levey Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum 3 9-02 5/2

2023-WINNER-PADDINGTON A P O'Brien Ryan Moore Tabor, Smith, Magnier, Westerberg, Brant 3 9-02 11/5

2022-WINNER-COROEBUS Charlie Appleby William Buick Godolphin 3 9-02 10/11F

2021-WINNER-POETIC FLARE J S Bolger Kevin Manning Mrs J S Bolger 3 9-00 7/2F

2020-WINNER-PALACE PIER John Gosden Frankie Dettori Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum 3-9-00 4/1

2019-WINNER-CIRCUS MAXIMUS Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Flaxman Stables, Sue Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith 3-9-00 10/1

2018-WINNER-WITHOUT PAROLE John Gosden Frankie Dettori John & Tanya Gunther 3-9-00 9/4F

2017-WINNER-BARNEY ROY 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-James Doyle; SP-5/2
2ND-Lancaster Bomber 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Donnacha
O’Brien; SP-12/1

3RD-Thunder Snow 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-6/1

8 ran; Time-1m 37.22s; Dist-1, hd 1/2 Fav Churchill (4th)

2016-WINNER-GALILEO GOLD 3-9-00 Owner-Al Shaqab Racing; Trainer-Hugo Palmer; Jockey-Frankie Dettori- SP-6/1

2ND-The Gurkha 3-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-4/5 Fav
3RD-Awtaad 3-9-00 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-Kevin Prendergast IRE; Jockey-Chris Hayes; SP-5/2
7 ran; Time-1m 44.01s; Dist-11⁄4, 1⁄2

2015-WINNER-GLENEAGLES 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey- Ryan Moore; SP-8/1
5 Fav
2ND-Lathanarch 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Charlie Appleby; Jockey-William Buick; SP-25/1

3RD-Consort 3-9-00 Owner-Highclere Th’bred Racing (Hardwicke); Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-6/1

5 ran; Time-1m 38.86s; Dist-21⁄2, 1⁄2

2014-WINNER-KINGMAN 3-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-James Doyle; SP-8/1
1 Fav
2ND-Night Of Thunder 3-9-00 Owner-Saeed Manana; Trainer-Richard Hannon snr; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-3/1

3RD-Outstrip 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Charlie Appleby; Jockey-William Buick; SP-33/1

7 ran; Time-1m 39.06s; Dist-2¼, 1

2013-WINNER-DAWN APPROACH 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Jim Bolger IRE; Jockey-Kevin Manning; SP-5/4 Fav
2ND-Toronado 3-9-00 Owner-Sheikh Joann bin Hamad Al Thani; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-5/1

3RD-Mars 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP- 10/1

9 ran; Time-1m 39.23s; Dist-sh, 2¾

2012-WINNER-MOST IMPROVED 3-9-00 Owner-Iraj Parvizi; Trainer-Brian Meehan; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-9/1

2RD-Hermival 3-9-00 Owner-H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani; Trainer-Mikel Delzangles FR; Jockey-Gregory Benoist;
SP-9/1

3RD-Gregorian 3-9-00 Owner-H R H Princess Haya of Jordan; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-14/1

16 ran; Time-1m 40.14s; Dist-¾, hd 11/4 Fav Power (12th)

2011-WINNER-FRANKEL 3-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Henry Cecil; Jockey-Tom Queally; SP-30/1
00 Fav
2ND-Zoffany 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-
20/1

3RD-Excelebration 3-9-00 Owner-Giuliano Manfredini; Trainer-Marco Botti; Jockey-Adam Kirby; SP-10/1

9 ran; Time-1m 39.24s; Dist-¾, 1½

2010-WINNER-CANFORD CLIFFS 3-9-00 Owner-Heffer Syndicate, Susan Roy & Mrs Instance; Trainer-Richard Hannon;
Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-11/4 Jt Fav
2ND-Dick Turpin 3-9-00 Owner-John Manley; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-5/1

3RD-Hearts Of Fire 3-9-00 Owner-Pat Eddery Racing (Detroit); Trainer-Pat Eddery; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-33/1

9 ran; Time-1m 39.55s; Dist-1, ¾ 11/4 Jt Fav Makfi (7th)

2009- WINNER-MASTERCRAFTSMAN 3-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-5/6 Fav
2ND-Delegator 3-9-00 Owner-Poilin Good; Trainer-Brian Meehan; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-4/1

3RD-Lord Shanakill 3-9-00 Owner: Mogeely Stud & Mark Gittins; Trainer: Karl Burke; Jockey-Jim Crowley; SP-20/1

10 ran; Time: 1m 39.21s; Dist-nk, 1½

2008-WINNER-HENRYTHENAVIGATOR 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh;
SP-4/7 Fav
2ND-Raven’s Pass 3-9-00 Owner-Stonerside Stable LLC; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-7/1

3RD-Twice Over 3-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Henry Cecil; Jockey-Ted Durcan; SP-8/1

8 ran, Time-1m 38.7s, Dist-¾, 2½

2007-WINNER-EXCELLENT ART 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-8/1

2ND-Duke Of Marmalade 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Michael Kinane;
SP-11/1

3RD-Astronomer Royal 3-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-
Colm O’Donoghue; SP-14/1

8 ran, Time-1m 39.33s, Dist-nk, 1¼ Evens Fav Cockney Rebel (5th)

2006-WINNER-ARAAFA 3-9-00 Owner-Saleh Al Homaizi & Imad Al Sagar; Trainer-Jeremy Noseda; Jockey-Alan Munro;
SP-2/1
Fav
2ND-Stormy River 3-9-00 Owner-Ecurie Mister Ess AS; Trainer-Nicolas Clement FR; Jockey-Olivier Peslier; SP-7/2
3RD-Ivan Denisovich 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Mr & Mrs Irving Cowan; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE;
Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-13/2
11 ran, Time-1m 39.59s, Dist-2, 1¾

2005-WINNER-SHAMARDAL 3-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Kerrin McEvoy; SP-7/4 Fav
2ND-Ad Valorem 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Michael Kinane; SP-8/1

3RD-Oratorio 3-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-6/1

8 ran, Time-1m 37.18s Dist-3, 1¾ (run at York)

2004-WINNER-AZAMOUR 3-9-00 Owner-H H Aga Khan; Trainer-John Oxx IRE; Jockey-Michael Kinane; SP-9/2
2ND-Diamond Green 3-9-00 Owner-Lagardere Family; Trainer-Andre Fabre FR; Jockey-Gary Stevens; SP-10/1

3RD-Antonius Pius 3-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-7/1

11 ran, Time-1m 39.02s Dist-nk, ¾ 6/4 Fav Haafhd (4th)

2003-WINNER-ZAFEEN 3-9-00 Owner-Jaber Abdullah; Trainer-Mick Channon; Jockey-Darryll Holland; SP-8/1

2ND-Kalaman 3-9-00 Owner H H Aga Khan; Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-5/2 Fav
3RD-Martillo 3-9-00 Owner-Gestut Hony-Hof; Trainer-Ralf Suerland GER; Jockey-William Mongil; SP-12/1

11 ran, Time-1m 39.91s Dist-1, 3