Gold filly Field Of Gold will forgo the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.
Field Of Gold, the impressive winner of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, is currently recovering from a setback sustained at Goodwood. After a shock defeat, the horse was found lame on his left-hind leg with some swelling in his fetlock. However, following rest and treatment, he is reported to be sound and showing improvement, with X-rays planned to assess his condition further.
Trainers John and Thady Gosden, along with Juddmonte's European racing manager Barry Mahon, are cautiously optimistic about Field Of Gold's recovery. They are hoping to resume light exercise soon if the X-rays reveal no complications.
Unfortunately, this setback means that Field Of Gold will miss the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. However, he retains entries in key mile races such as the Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp (7 September) and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot (18 October). There is also the possibility of stepping up in distance to a mile and a quarter for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown (13 September), but this is less certain and will depend on his fitness and recovery progress.
On a brighter note, another horse trained by the Gosdens, Ombudsman, is gearing up for the Juddmonte International. Ombudsman has had a little freshen up and is a strong contender for the race, having won the Prince of Wales's Stakes in a Group One race and showing that he is up to that level.
In the Eclipse, Ombudsman ran a very good race, losing to a top-class three-year-old named Delacroix. Despite this, Ombudsman's potential is undeniable, and he is expected to put up a strong challenge in the Juddmonte International.
In summary:
- Recovery status: Improving, sound, but with some residual swelling; X-rays awaited; light exercise expected soon if all is well.
- Missed race: 2025 Juddmonte International Stakes (York).
- Potential future races: Prix du Moulin (7 Sept), Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (13 Sept), Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (18 Oct), with mile races being the initial focus but potential to try longer distance if recovery permits.
- Ombudsman is a strong contender for the Juddmonte International, having shown his speed and ability in previous races.
As the racing season continues, both Field Of Gold and Ombudsman will be ones to watch. Their performances in upcoming races are eagerly anticipated, and their recovery and training progress will be closely monitored.
Sentence 1: Given the promising recovery of Field Of Gold from his hind leg injury, trainers John and Thady Gosden are optimistic about his participation in future mile races like the Prix du Moulin and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, while also considering a possible switch to longer distances in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes, subject to his fitness and improvement.
Sentence 2: As for the Juddmonte International Stakes, though Field Of Gold is unable to compete this year due to his setback, another Gosden-trained horse, Ombudsman, has shown great potential and is considered a strong contender for the race, having won the Prince of Wales's Stakes previously and losing only to top-class three-year-old Delacroix in the Eclipse.
