Latest news with #Irish2000Guineas
Irish Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Colin Keane makes no mistake as Field Of Gold trounces Irish 2000 Guineas rivals at the Curragh
Field Of Gold secured impressive classic consolation at the Curragh on Saturday when landing the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas. An unlucky runner up under an overconfident ride in the Newmarket Guineas earlier this month, Field Of Gold won Ireland's first classic of 2025 under replacement jockey Colin Keane. The evens favourite beat another Juddmonte owned horse Cosmic Year by almost four lengths with Hotazhell first of the home team in third. It was a second win in the race for Keane who also carried the Juddmonte colours to success on Siskin five years ago. READ MORE Ireland's champion jockey was drafted in to replace Kieran Shoemark who was axed as No. 1 rider to trainers John & Thady Gosden after Field Of Joy's Newmarket defeat. Shoemark was on duty in Goodwood on Saturday, forced to endure watching his former mount sweep to a hugely impressive classic victory that only served to underline how unfortunate he'd been when beaten a neck by Ruling Court at Newmarket. Keane revealed afterwards he had spoken to his English colleague about the colt, describing Shoemark as 'an absolute gentleman' in his advice on the colt. He added: 'When he went through the line like that, that was as good of a feeling as I've got off a horse for a long time; just so straightforward and powerful to sit on. 'Kieran said he used to be keen and fresh last year. He has done a marvellous job getting him to relax to be fair now. I've just stepped in for today.' It was a generous sentiment but the ruthless reality at the elite level is that second chances are rare. Shoemark knows better than most how Field Of Gold is likely to be always 'a what might have been' horse for him. Colin Keane on Field of Gold after winning The Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho The Englishman admitted to being over-confident at Newmarket. Saturday's €500,000 classic underlined once again Keane's capacity to not make errors when it matters most. Drawn on the outside of the nine runners, Keane's major task turned out to be settling Field Of Gold. With a third Juddmonte runner, Windlord, helping to cut out a moderate pace, the favourite ranged up outside the two pole and when asked to quicken the race was quickly over. On top of Westover's 2022 Derby success, it was a third Curragh classic in Juddmonte's colours for Keane who has established his credentials as the operation's 'go to' replacement rider. Prince Saud bin Khalid, son of Juddmonte's legendary founder Khalid Abdualla who died in 2021, was at the Curragh to watch his classic one-two. He can look forward to possibly more Group One glory on Sunday with Swelter (1000 Guineas) and Kalpana (Tattersalls Gold Cup). It could hardly have been a more opportune moment to shine then for Keane, the six-time Irish champion jockey, who at 30 could be on the verge on the sort of international impact seen in the past through Michael Kinane and Johnny Murtagh. The capacity to cut out excuses is priceless in the pressurised environment of Group One competition and Keane's ability to at least make it appear to keep it simple continues to get advertised. John Gosden, who trained Field Of Gold's sire Kingman to avenge an unlucky Newmarket defeat in the Curragh Guineas in 2014, nominated Royal Ascot's St James's Palace as a likely next target for his latest classic hero, and probably with the Irishman on board. Prince Saud bin Khalid Abdullah, owner of Field of Gold, in the parade ring after winning The Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA 'It's not my decision but I wouldn't see any reason to change it, I'll talk to Barry [Mahon] who manages with Juddmonte and take it from there,' he said. 'The owner is keen to go up to 10-furlongs but I said hang on, maybe one more race at a mile.' Having also finished runner up with Jonquil in the French 2000 Guineas, success at the Curragh was important for all concerned with Juddmone, including Gosden whose decision to dispense with Shoemark generated plenty of reaction. 'It's a sense of relief more than anything. Like his father it didn't go quite right at Newmarket, but it went right today. 'He's quickened up well and shown a lot of class. The second horse is a very good horse, the third horse is a Group One winner, so I think the form is incredibly solid. 'Drawn on the wing is often tricky, you can be a little keen, so I very much wanted him to just switch off. Colin said cantering down he was relaxed and there were no instructions, I just said ride him as you find him,' he commented. 'I was sorry we got beaten in the English Guineas, but he finished so well. To get on a plane and come here and see something different, they are young horses only three, so he would have learned a lot from this. They grow in stature and in mentality. 'It's probably a very good thing he came here and Colin rode him beautifully. 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 but I told Colin if he relaxes going down he should relax coming back. He rode him just right. I told him 'you have no instructions, ride it as you find it'. 'He rode him beautifully, he's the best horse and he quickened up well and a very good horse was second to him and Hotazhell was third. When he quickened, he went. He takes two or three strides and he's off,' Gosden added. Ryan Moore on Skukuza wins The QuinnBet Emerald Mile Handicap. Photograph: Morgan Treacy/Inpho It was the highlight of a lucrative classic day for cross-channel raiders. Forced to settle for second in trying to ride a first Irish classic winner, Oisin Murphy picked up Group Two consolation in the Weatherbys Greenalands Stakes on board James's Delight. The 22/1 shot beat another British outsider, Lethal Levi by a short head. Ryan Moore landed the opener on an impressive Ballydoyle newcomer Brussels and also struck in the €100,000 mile handicap on Ed Dunlop's Skukuza. It was a first success at HQ in some time for the trainer who saddled an Irish Oaks treble through Lailani (2001), Ouija Board (2004) and the Moore ridden Snow Fairy in 2010. There was a home victory in Sunday's other black-type contest, the Listed Al Basti Orby Stakes, when the 5/4 favourite Trustyhourinstinct thrived on rain-softened conditions to score by four lengths. 'He always turns up and runs his race. He was behind Los Angeles here the last day, it was a very credible run, and dropping down into Listed class today he's won impressively. 'He's well enough handicapped over hurdles but he doesn't really jump with great fluency. He'll probably stick to the Flat. 'He's a very solid Listed/Group 3 horse and he pays his way every year. We've ran him internationally a few times as well and we might look at that again at a later date,' said his trainer Joseph O'Brien.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Field of Gold impressive in Irish 2,000 Guineas win
Field of Gold was a dominant winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas as the evens favourite finished three and three quarter lengths clear of Cosmic Year at the a fast-finishing second at the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket this month, jockey Kieran Shoemark was replaced by Colin Keane as Field of Gold matched the feat of his sire, Kingman, who won the race in 2014. Starting from wide, the horse trained by John and Thady Gosden emerged from the pack with a few furlongs to spare before sprinting clear of the remainder of the nine-strong Year (4-1) came home three quarter lengths ahead of Hotazhell (10-1) in third. "It was as good a feel as I've had off a horse in a long time," Keane told RTE Sport. "He's just so straightforward and powerful."I just stepped in for today, but he seems to be a horse going the right way."Keane added that he had been in contact with Shoemark before the race."Kieran is an absolute gentleman."He put me straight and told me everything I need to know. I'm very thankful for that."
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Field Of Gold the focus as John Gosden hopes for Irish 2,000 Guineas redemption
Colin Keane wins the third-leg of the 2019 International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley. Photo: Kenneth Chan Field Of Gold looks set to be the focus of the Curragh on Saturday when he faces eight rivals in the Group One Irish 2,000 Guineas (1,600m), the first Irish Classic of the season. His narrow defeat by William Buick's Ruling Court in Newmarket's Group One 2,000 Guineas (1,600m) has certainly been the biggest talking point in British racing this season, with the main consequence of a career-best performance being the replacement of jockey Kieran Shoemark by six-times Irish champion Colin Keane. John Gosden, who trains in partnership with his son Thady, has also hinted that another possible consequence may be a radical alteration of tactics for this charismatic three-year-old colt. In both starts this season – firstly with his outstanding last-to-first surge in Newmarket's Group Three Craven Stakes (1,600m) and then in the Guineas – the emphasis has been on initial restraint. RULING COURT strikes in the @Betfred 2000 Guineas! — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 3, 2025 Gosden was successful in the 2014 Irish 2,000 Guineas with Field Of Gold's sire Kingman and will be hoping to repeat the feat 11 years on with his son. 'We could go and lead if we are not happy with the pace. That is the alternative – we can push forward if we need to,' said Gosden. 'The winner has kicked and gone and we ran out of racetrack [in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket]. Given another 25 yards and the race would have been ours.' John Gosden (left) has replaced jockey Kieran Shoemark with Colin Keane ahead of the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Photo: Agence France-Presse HK Racing News Get updates direct to your inbox Sign up Best Bets Racing News By registering you agree to our T&Cs & Privacy Policy Error: Please enter a valid email. The email address is already in use. Please login to subscribe. Error, please try again later. THANK YOU You are one the list. Interestingly, his powerhouse owners Juddmonte are also sending the unbeaten Cosmic Year, another classy offspring of Kingman, to action in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. The mount of Oisin Murphy, he is currently rated 10lbs shy of Field Of Gold but it was difficult not to be dazzled by the style with which he accelerated in Newmarket's Listed King Charles II Stakes (1,400m) early this month.
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Hotazhell can edge out Field of Gold in intriguing Irish 2,000 Guineas
Field Of Gold, favourite for Saturday's Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, poses a fascinating 'back-or-oppose' puzzle for punters after his fast-finishing second behind Ruling Court in the English equivalent this month. Kieran Shoemark, the colt's rider in the Newmarket Classic, lost his job as John and Thady Gosden's stable jockey after what was seen by many as an unlucky defeat on the Rowley Mile. Colin Keane, Ireland's champion in six of the last eight seasons, will be holding the reins when Field Of Gold sets off at around even-money in an attempt to emulate his sire, Kingman, who won the Irish 2,000 in 2014 after finishing second at Newmarket a few weeks earlier. While it is easy to blame a jockey for a fast-finishing defeat, though, it is rarely that simple and in the context of Saturday's Classic, the Newmarket form feels suspect. Several very obvious candidates from 2024's juvenile crop were missing from the lineup, the early pace was slow and the winner's timefigure was well below average for a Classic. Saturday's field, in fact, could prove to have more strength in depth than Field Of Gold faced last time, and while the unbeaten Cosmic Year, another runner for the Juddmonte operation, has obvious claims, the pick of the prices may be Hotazhell (3.40) at around 8-1. Jessica Harrington's colt edged out Delacroix, a leading ante-post fancy for the Derby, in last season's Group One Futurity Trophy on heavy ground at Doncaster but has strong form – including a Group Two win over Saturday's track and trip – on better ground too. Haydock 1.15: The four-year-old Candonomore already looks more consistent than he did last year – he was gelded over the winter – and a 4lb rise after he completed a quick double for the season at Leicester this month is largely accounted for by Amie Waugh's 3lb claim. Goodwood 1.30: Tuco Salamanca, a 12-1 shot in early betting, made a very satisfactory return to turf at Ascot this month, posting a useful time in the process. Haydock 1.50: The form of King Casper's three-length defeat of Transparent at Newmarket last time is the strongest on offer in what is always a useful three-year-old handicap. Beverley 2.10: Ali Shuffle, the likely favourite, remains unbeaten, had the ideal draw at Chester last time and may face a different calibre of opponent here. Angel Numbers, a smooth winner on debut at Chepstow 11 days ago, is speedily bred and has obvious scope for progress. Haydock 2.25: An ideal eight runners for each-way purposes and Tasmania is an interesting option. Sir Mark Prescott ran her in Group One company for her stable debut last summer and she remains a blank canvas for her new trainer, as today's race will be only her fourth since finishing third in the French Oaks in June 2023. Beverley 2.45: Three of the six runners were winners on debut last time while Andrew Balding's Old Is Gold was only third at Ascot this month, but he shaped very well in defeat behind Military Code, the second-favourite for the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot next month. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Haydock 1.15 Candonomore 1.50 King Casper (nb) 2.25 Tasmania 3.00 Powerful Glory 3.30 Rumstar (nap) 4.10 Maelstrom 4.40 Gibside. Goodwood 1.30 Tuco Salamanca 2.05 Amiloc 2.35 Blue Nguru 3.15 Perfect Your Craft 3.45 French Master 4.20 Empress Of All 4.55 Walnut. Beverley 1.35 Tarriance 2.10 Artista 2.45 Old Is Gold 3.20 Spring Chorus 3.55 Diligent Resdev 4.25 Dandy's Angel 5.00 Light Up Our Stars. Catterick Bridge 1.40 Highfield Sunshine 2.15 Hype Merchant 2.50 Captain Potter 3.35 Reservardo 4.05 Between The Sticks 4.35 Synergism 5.13 Beauzon. Cartmel 4.00 D Day Arvalenreeva 4.30 Getaway Vic 5.05 Mermaids Cave 5.38 Fairlawn Flyer 6.08 Hurricane Ali 6.38 Big Bee Hive 7.08 Toombridge. Salisbury 4.45 Ardisia 5.20 Billy Mill 5.50 Stanhope Gardens 6.20 Realign 6.50 Jasour 7.20 Kosometsuke 7.50 Babylon 8.20 Marioento. Windsor 5.30 Al Waseela 6.00 Angel Of Anfield 6.30 Little Saver 7.00 Dream Out Loud 7.35 Strike 8.05 Phaedra 8.35 Serenity Dream. Haydock 3.00: Symbol Of Honour is an obvious market leader on his win at Newbury last weekend but this is a quick turnaround. Powerful Glory, last year's Mill Reef Stakes winner, could take advantage. Goodwood 3.10: Several promising three-year-old fillies in opposition and the once-raced novice stakes winner Perfect Your Craft could emerge as the pick of them. Haydock 3.30: Rumstar returned with a career-best at Newmarket this month with four of today's opponents behind him and looks the type to improve through the sprinting ranks as the season develops.
Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Irish 2,000 Guineas 2025 – Runner-by-runner guide and tips
The first Classic of the season in Ireland, the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas, takes place at the Curragh on Saturday (3.40pm). John and Thady Gosden's Field Of Gold will be seeking compensation for his recent defeat in the English equivalent at Newmarket, which many people felt he should have won. 2025 Irish 2,000 Guineas – 3.40pm, Saturday Ron Wood's Irish 2,000 Guineas verdict Being drawn widest of all in stall nine looks like complicating matters for the hot favourite Field Of Gold, especially if the ground is on the fast side. He will have to be dropped out and/or race wide, so will need a good pace ahead of him on a track where the leaders can get away from their rivals. In this race last year, the high-class Rosallion only just got away with an off-the-pace and wide trip from stall six. It helps that Irish champion jockey Colin Keane takes over in the saddle on the Gosden runner, but at short odds Field Of Gold can be overlooked. Cosmic Year is a strong-looking contender for the same owners, but the Aidan O'Brien-trained Officer and, in particular, EXPANDED make most appeal, even if Ryan Moore doesn't fancy the latter. Expanded wasn't ready to do himself justice in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, but he won a maiden here under his big-race jockey Wayne Lordan and finished second in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes in the space of just a week as a two-year-old, and he's potentially still up to this. He was sent off at just 5/1 at Newmarket and is much bigger now. Comanche Brave may also be worth a look. Text and CTA Button Selection: Expanded to win @ 18/1 with BoyleSports Go to site > Odds courtesy of BoyleSports and correct at time of writing. If you already have a BoyleSports account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts Irish 2,000 Guineas – Guide to runners and odds Field Of Gold (Draw 9) – 1/1 with BoyleSports ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trainer: John & Thady Gosden; Jockey: Colin Keane A big horse who has improved this year. Won the Group 3 Craven Stakes before finishing second in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. He travelled best of all in the latter, but it was steadily run and he gave the winner a head start, just taking too long to pick up and failing by half a length. That cost Kieran Shoemark the ride, so six-time Irish champion jockey Colin Keane takes over and will have to negotiate the widest draw. Kingman, his sire, won this race for the same connections in 2014, having also finished second in the Guineas at Newmarket. Cosmic Year (5) – 7/2 with BoyleSports ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trainer: Harry Charlton; Jockey: Oisin Murphy Same owners as hot favourite Field Of Gold, likewise has the same sire, and it's surprising they are both running. Has won all three starts over 7f, still looking raw when taking a Listed race at Newmarket on his most recent start. Needs to improve again, but he's ready for this step up to a mile and his dam won a Group 1 race over 1m 2f. Hotazhell (4) – 15/2 with BoyleSports ⭐⭐ Trainer: Jessica Harrington; Jockey: Shane Foley Three Group-race wins as a two-year-old, including one over course and distance, and notably won the mile Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Doncaster by a nose when last seen in October. However, he resumes with his stable struggling for winners. Officer (3) – 8/1 with BoyleSports ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trainer: Aidan O'Brien; Jockey: Ryan Moore Has a top-class pedigree. Improved to win a Listed race over course and distance that was won two years ago for the same connections by Paddington, who then landed this contest. More is needed but he has the potential. Rashabar (1) – 11/1 with BoyleSports ⭐⭐ Trainer: Brian Meehan; Jockey: Sean Levey Twice runner-up in Group 1 races as a two-year-old, but his second on his reappearance in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes at Newbury over 7f didn't point to an imminent breakthrough at the top level and he subsequently missed the French Guineas. Scorthy Champ (8) – 14/1 with BoyleSports ⭐⭐ Trainer: Joseph O'Brien; Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle Won the Group 1 National Stakes over 7f on his final two-year-old start in September, but was only seventh on his reappearance in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Has a question mark against his stamina. Expanded (2) – 18/1 with BoyleSports ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trainer: Aidan O'Brien; Jockey: Wayne Lordan Won a maiden here and was second over 7f in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket seven days later from two juvenile starts. Struggled in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on his reappearance, but only ran then owing to a stablemate missing the race and probably needed the outing for fitness. Can do better now, for all that Ryan Moore has opted for Officer. Windlord (6) – 33/1 with BoyleSports ⭐ Trainer: Andrew Balding; Jockey: Chris Hayes A third runner for owners Juddmonte, who also have the first two in the market. Third behind Hotazhell over course and distance in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes on final start last term, but is back down in trip after finishing second over 1m 2f in the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown on his reappearance (hung left). Maybe he's here to help ensure a strong pace, which would suit his connections' other horses. Comanche Brave (7) – 40/1 with BoyleSports ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trainer: Donnacha O'Brien; Jockey: Gavin Ryan Much-improved second behind the subsequent French 2,000 Guineas winner in a 7f Group 3 race at Leopardstown on his reappearance, albeit in receipt of 3lb from that rival (the third horse has also boosted the form). He travelled best of all then. Stamina is a question mark, but this may have been the target since and he could progress again another 55 days on, especially if the ground isn't slow (this can be a sharp test at the distance). Drawn a bit wider than ideal, but perhaps not the worst 50/1 shot you'll see this weekend. Odds courtesy of BoyleSports and correct at time of writing. Last 10 Irish 2,000 Guineas winners Star ratings explained ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy ⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims ⭐⭐ - tentative choice ⭐ - minimum confidence ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims⭐⭐ - tentative choice⭐ - minimum confidence If you want to find more odds and offers, take a look at our list of the best betting sites and free bets
