Field Of Gold tops 12 seeking Irish 2,000 Guineas crown

Irish Examiner

20-05-2025

Ante-post favourite Field Of Gold is among 12 confirmations for the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.
John and Thady Gosden's colt came with a wet sail in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket but could not catch Ruling Court.
It was confirmed on Monday that multiple Irish champion jockey Colin Keane will take the ride this weekend.
Field Of Gold is owned by Juddmonte, who have an incredibly strong hand in the Classic with Harry Charlton's unbeaten Cosmic Year and possibly Windlord lining up.
Aidan O'Brien has saddled 12 winners of the race, with Churchill (2017) and Paddington (2023) triumphing in the last 10 years.
He could field Tetrarch Stakes winner Officer, along with Expanded, Serengeti and Trinity College. But Twain, a Group One winner last year who missed Newmarket following a dirty scope, has not been supplemented.
Jessica Harrington's Hotazhell, a late scratch from the French Guineas due to quickening ground, is set to make his seasonal reappearance, while Rashabar, second to Jonquil in the Greenham, is on target for Brian Meehan.
Scorthy Champ, seventh at Newmarket, Donnacha O'Brien's Commanche Brave and Paddy Twomey's Currawood complete the list of possibles.
Meanwhile, Chris Hayes is looking forward to riding the unbeaten Swelter for Dermot Weld and Juddmonte in Sunday's Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
The Kingman filly won her only started at two over a mile at Leopardstown and then showed plenty of speed when dropping down to seven furlongs to hold off Exactly in a Group Three on her return, with that rival subsequently beaten just over a length in the French Guineas.
"We're still a few days away and I'll have a sit on her in the week, we'll obviously be conscious of the weather," said Hayes.
"The form of her trial has worked out well, she's an exciting filly.
"She had one start last year and was impressive in that. It was nice to see her drop back a furlong and quicken up in the manner she did off a fast pace, in a race where the form has really worked out with the third, fourth and fifth all running well since.
"I'm very much looking forward to it."
There is a strong challenge from the UK to overcome, with Ollie Sangster leaving in both Flight and Simmering, second and third to Desert Flower in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Archie Watson could also run Duty First, so impressive in the Fred Darling but a disappointment in the Classic.
Donnacha O'Brien has supplemented his unbeaten filly Atsila while his father Aidan still has four of the 14 in contention including Lake Victoria, sixth on her seasonal return at Newmarket after a stellar juvenile campaign.
Royal Ascot winner Bedtime Story, Exactly and January could also run.
Paddy Twomey's City of Memphis, winner of her only start, is another supplementary entry while Adrian Murray has two possibles in California Dreamer and Jaliyah.
Cercene and Tamam Desert have also been confirmed.