Royal Ascot has already seen trainer John Gosden secure two of its most prestigious races this week.
First came the St James’s Palace Stakes triumph by the dazzling grey Field Of Gold, followed 24 hours later by Ombudsman’s tenacious success in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.
Both victories have ignited talk of a potential clash later in the season, a possible Juddmonte International showdown at York in August.
While I’m not wishing away Royal Ascot just yet, it’s the kind of summer clash that gets us all excited and gives us something to look forward to and dream about.
Field Of Gold – The Grey Machine in the St James’s Palace Stakes
Field Of Gold produced a truly dominant performance in the St James’s Palace Stakes under Colin Keane, who described him as “the best horse I’ve ever sat on”.
Keane has a fantastic book of rides for new retainers Juddmonte, and this horse could well be the best he has to go to war with over the rest of the season.
The colt powered clear two furlongs from home, well ahead of 2,000 Guineas winners Henri Matisse and Ruling Court, showcasing himself as a generational talent.
Let’s not forget, Ruling Court beat Field Of Gold in the Guineas at Newmarket, though it’s clear which of those has kicked on and gone to a new level since that.
Gosden praised the explosive mid-race burst and noted how the horse “positively surged out of his hands”.
Analysts hailed it “the most special performance of the Flat season” and compared him to Frankel in style and impact, though he’s plenty more to do before those comparisons become genuine talk, in terms of ability.
While mile targets are an option, Gosden hinted that stepping up in trip, perhaps in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, could unlock even more from the grey colt. The thought of more to come is a very exciting prospect indeed.
Ombudsman – Navigating Through Traffic to Prince of Wales’s Glory
On Wednesday, Ombudsman demonstrated his class in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, overcoming traffic troubles before delivering a sudden, decisive blast under William Buick.
Settled off the pace, he awaited his moment before accelerating past Anmaat, winning by two comfortable lengths in a display of tactical brilliance from his jockey.
WOW! OMBUDSMAN THROUGH TRAFFIC TO WIN THE PRINCE OF WALES’S STAKES! #ROYALASCOT pic.twitter.com/xRL1TAXgbz
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 18, 2025
Gosden praised the patience shown and the colt’s “extraordinary turn of foot” once he found daylight.
That turn of foot marked Ombudsman as a maturing four-year-old now hitting prime form and suggests he’s firmly in Gosden’s plans for major mid-season targets, and the sky is the limit.
Same Trip, Potential Showdown – Juddmonte International Looms
Both Field of Gold and Ombudsman triumphed in similarly great style, albeit in different company, one as a three-year-old against his peers and the other against open older horses.
With Royal Ascot now behind them, all eyes will be on August’s Juddmonte International at York for a possible battle between the pair.
Of the two, if only one of them goes, then I assume that would be Field of Gold, owned by the race sponsors, of course. But the hope is that both have a chance to turn up here and go against each other.
Gosden hinted that both could progress to that Group 1 target, making what could be a fascinating stable clash of youth versus maturity.
As a racing fan, the type of clash we all love, seeing how the three-year-olds get on against their elders. The fact that both are from the same yard makes it even more fascinating.
