Tag Archive for: Juddmonte

Publish ruled out of Solario test at Sandown

Publish will not line up in Saturday’s BetMGM Solario Stakes at Sandown due to unsuitable ground.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt was due to be one of the headline acts in the Group Three contest after running an eyecatching race on debut at the Esher track, before returning to the same venue three weeks later to break his maiden.

However, with 16 millimetres of rain having fallen at Sandown on Friday morning, the going was changed to soft after the fifth race on the track’s afternoon card, prompting connections to withdraw the likely favourite.

His absence leaves Charlie Appleby’s Pacific Avenue as the new market leader after he inflicted a surprise defeat on stablemate Wild Desert when making a winning debut at Newmarket in June.

Charlie Appleby saddles Pacific Avenue in the Solario Stakes
Charlie Appleby saddles Pacific Avenue in the Solario Stakes (John Walton/PA)

Appleby, who has trained three previous Solario winners, said: “This is a race we have done well in in recent seasons, Pacific Avenue worked nicely on Saturday and the form of his last run has worked out very well.

“The second horse (Wild Desert) came out and was third in the Superlative Stakes and the third, fourth and fifth have come out and won well, so we are going there with a horse that will hopefully be competitive.

“He hasn’t been out since winning his debut in June, but he is in good shape at home and we do feel that the seven furlongs at Sandown will suit him well.

“He is a horse we have always liked and if he could go and hopefully win on Saturday, we could look towards something like a Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere possibly, but that is pie in the sky stuff at the moment and the focus for now is on the Solario.”

Too Darn Hot colt He’s Waliim is an interesting contender for James Tate, turning out 17 days after blitzing his rivals by upwards of six lengths on his introduction at Beverley.

Tate said: “Obviously he was very impressive and he’s a horse we’re excited about, but we’re aware that we are throwing him in at the deep end somewhat, so fingers crossed he can swim.

“His home work had been very smart before Beverley so we were expecting him to win, but they don’t always run up to their homework, so it was nice that he did.

“It’s a field full of unknowns on Saturday and you don’t quite know whether you’re taking on next year’s Guineas winner or a horse that wins the Solario and doesn’t win another Group race, it can vary.

“But we’re happy with our horse, seven furlongs around a bend with a uphill finish and quick-ish ground should suit us down to the ground, so we’ll find out a lot.”

Humidity winning the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot
Humidity winning the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Other hopefuls include Andrew Balding’s Chesham winner Humidity, who bids to bounce back from a disappointing effort in Goodwood’s Vintage Stakes, and Clive Cox’s A Bit Of Spirit, who has won twice and finished second twice in four starts.

Richard Brown, adviser to Humidity’s owners Wathnan Racing, said: “Andrew seems very happy with him and he said he has worked particularly well since Goodwood.

“I don’t think the track suited him particularly well at Goodwood and I’m hoping Sandown and the stiff seven will be more to his liking as I think he will get further in time.

“This is obviously a very strong renewal, as you would expect, but I think the race will set up much better for him than at Goodwood and he will be hitting the line strong.”

Of A Bit Of Spirit, Cox said: “He’s in very good form. He stepped up to a mile last time at Salisbury in the Stonehenge and was beaten by a very nice horse (Morris Dancer).

“We’ll be very happy to step back to seven furlongs at Sandown, he’s in great nick and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Publish aiming to stamp authority on classy Solario field

Publish has some big boots to fill when he bids to provide his connections with back-to-back victories in the BetMGM Solario Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.

A huge eyecatcher when second on his debut at the Esher venue in early July, John and Thady Gosden’s juvenile comfortably went one better on his return three weeks later and now faces a step up to Group Three level over the same course and distance this weekend.

The Gosdens and owner-breeders Juddmonte not only teamed up to land the Solario with Publish’s sire Kingman in 2013, but also struck gold with this year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes scorer Field Of Gold 12 months ago, so it is no surprise that hopes for their latest candidate are high.

“The Solario is a race that has had a big roll of honour and Publish is a horse we like. He looked good in his two maidens runs, so we’re looking forward to seeing what way he can step up into Group company in what looks a deep enough renewal,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon.

“He’s had a nice break since his last run and John and Thady picked this route, they’ve used it in the past, so we have to be hopeful that he should be capable of a good run, all being well.”

Gosden senior has saddled a record seven winners of this race in all, with Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Raven’s Pass (2007) and multiple Group One winner Too Darn Hot (2018) also among them.

Field Of Gold winning last year's Solario Stakes
Field Of Gold winning last year’s Solario Stakes (Steven Paston/PA)

Mahon added: “I think it’s John’s go-to race if he has a nice horse and I’m sure if you look back through the years, there’s plenty there that didn’t win too.

“But if he has a nice two-year-old it seems to be his preferred route, so let’s hope he’s good enough to continue the good run.

“As we know October is action-packed for two-year-olds, so we’ll find out whether we’re good enough to compete in one of the big races or whether you have to lower your sights a little bit.”

Charlie Appleby counts subsequent Derby hero Masar (2017) among his three previous Solario winners and is this year represented by Pacific Avenue, who inflicted a surprise defeat on stablemate Wild Desert when making a winning debut at Newmarket in June.

Charlie Appleby saddles Pacific Avenue in the Solario Stakes
Charlie Appleby saddles Pacific Avenue in the Solario Stakes (John Walton/PA)

“This is a race we have done well in in recent seasons, Pacific Avenue worked nicely on Saturday and the form of his last run has worked out very well,” said Appleby.

“The second horse (Wild Desert) came out and was third in the Superlative Stakes and the third, fourth and fifth have come out and won well, so we are going there with a horse that will hopefully be competitive.

“He hasn’t been out since winning his debut in June, but he is in good shape at home and we do feel that the seven furlongs at Sandown will suit him well.

“He is a horse we have always liked and if he could go and hopefully win on Saturday, we could look towards something like a Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere possibly, but that is pie in the sky stuff at the moment and the focus for now is on the Solario.”

Too Darn Hot colt He’s Waliim is an interesting contender for James Tate, turning out 17 days after blitzing his rivals by upwards of six lengths on his introduction at Beverley.

Tate said: “Obviously he was very impressive and he’s a horse we’re excited about, but we’re aware that we are throwing him in at the deep end somewhat, so fingers crossed he can swim.

“His home work had been very smart before Beverley so we were expecting him to win, but they don’t always run up to their homework, so it was nice that he did.

“It’s a field full of unknowns on Saturday and you don’t quite know whether you’re taking on next year’s Guineas winner or a horse that wins the Solario and doesn’t win another Group race, it can vary.

“But we’re happy with our horse, seven furlongs around a bend with a uphill finish and quick-ish ground should suit us down to the ground, so we’ll find out a lot.”

Humidity winning the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot
Humidity winning the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Other hopefuls include Andrew Balding’s Chesham winner Humidity, who bids to bounce back from a disappointing effort in Goodwood’s Vintage Stakes, and Clive Cox’s A Bit Of Spirit, who has won twice and finished second twice in four starts.

Richard Brown, adviser to Humidity’s owners Wathnan Racing, said: “Andrew seems very happy with him and he said he has worked particularly well since Goodwood.

“I don’t think the track suited him particularly well at Goodwood and I’m hoping Sandown and the stiff seven will be more to his liking as I think he will get further in time.

“This is obviously a very strong renewal, as you would expect, but I think the race will set up much better for him than at Goodwood and he will be hitting the line strong.”

Of A Bit Of Spirit, Cox said: “He’s in very good form. He stepped up to a mile last time at Salisbury in the Stonehenge and was beaten by a very nice horse (Morris Dancer).

“We’ll be very happy to step back to seven furlongs at Sandown, he’s in great nick and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Champions Day the target for Field Of Gold return

Field Of Gold has stepped up his recovery from the injury he suffered at Goodwood last month, with connections targeting the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot as the stage for his return.

Narrowly beaten in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, John and Thady Gosden’s Juddmonte-owned grey looked set to dominate the mile division after scintillating victories in both the Irish Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He was long odds-on to complete the same Group One hat-trick achieved by his brilliant sire Kingman in Goodwood’s Sussex Stakes in late July, but finished a disappointing fourth behind his pacemaker Qirat, who caused the shock of the season with a 150-1 success.

Field Of Gold in the parade ring before the Sussex Stakes
Field Of Gold in the parade ring before the Sussex Stakes (Andrew Matthews/PA)

It soon transpired Field Of Gold had suffered a significant joint injury and he required some time on the sidelines, but having now returned to full work an outing on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot appears to be firmly on the agenda.

“He’s on the road to recovery, John is very happy with him and he’s cantering every day,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon.

“He’s not done any fast work and he’s probably heading towards Champions Day, I would imagine. Hopefully the ground isn’t too soft and that’s where we’ll see him next.

“The Prix du Moulin and the Irish Champion Stakes are obviously coming too soon because he hasn’t done any fast work since the Sussex, but he’s doing steady canters, he’s sound and the joint has tightened up well and the team are very happy with his well-being.

“The fact that we’re not going to have him ready to run in September, there’s no point in rushing, so we’ll take our time and wait for Ascot – the QEII looks the most obvious race for him.”

Jonquil got back to winning ways at Goodwood
Jonquil got back to winning ways at Goodwood (Steven Paston/PA)

The Juddmonte team have yet to finalise plans for another high-class three-year-old colt in Jonquil, who bounced back to winning ways in the Group Two Celebration Mile at Goodwood last weekend, but his preference for a sound surface could mean he will be getting his passport stamped.

Mahon added: “He’s won a Group Two, options are very limited and we may have to go on our travels because he wants fast ground.

“We just haven’t mapped out a plan for him with the owners yet, but we’ll do that in the next few days.”

Kalpana team favouring September Stakes date ahead of Arc bid

Kalpana is set to tune up for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with a run in the September Stakes at Kempton.

Enable used the Group Three as a stepping stone when successful in Paris in 2018 and she also won the Kempton contest on her penultimate outing for the same owners, Juddmonte.

Trainer Andrew Balding and racing manager Barry Mahon were choosing between Kempton and France for the Prix Vermeille after her meritorious King George run and have decided to stay closer to home.

Mahon said: “We’ve decided she’s going to go to Kempton for the September Stakes I think.

“The timing suits, she hasn’t won a race this year so I think Andrew is keen to get her head in front.

“She’s already travelled to Ireland twice and she’ll have to travel to France in October, so the attraction of staying at home is more alluring.

“The Yorkshire Oaks was never in the mix, we said after the King George that she’d had a couple of tough races and she’d freshen up.

“It was between the September Stakes or the Vermeille and we’re leaning towards the September at this stage.”

Reflecting on Minnie Hauk’s victory in the Yorkshire Oaks, he said: “The winner is class, she’s a class filly and even though there were only four runners it was a very good race.

“Wherever the winner goes in the autumn, she’s going to be difficult to beat.

“The Arc is an open race and we’re in there with a chance as one of the favourites, it’s nice to have a contender.”

Kalpana team closing in on Arc route decision

The next destination for Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe favourite Kalpana is expected to be decided by the end of this week.

Connections are weighing up whether to go down the ‘Enable route’ and head to Kempton for the September Stakes or the more traditional path to the Arc by running a top-class filly in the Prix Vermeille.

Andrew Balding’s four-year-old is without a win in three races this season but has performed with credit in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, the Pretty Polly and the King George at Ascot leading to her heading the lists for the ParisLongchamp showpiece.

Owners Juddmonte won the Arc last year with Bluestocking who, like Kalpana, finished second in the King George and also ran in the Juddmonte International before winning the Prix Vermeille.

“Kalpana remains in good form,” said Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s racing manager.

“She’s had a little freshen up but we’ve yet to fully commit to where she’s going to go next.

“The options are the September Stakes on the all-weather at Kempton or the Prix Vermeille.

“Hopefully we’ll have a decision by the end of this week.”

Pinhole aiming to justify connections’ faith in Geoffrey Freer

Having got his season back on track in some style at Ascot last month, Ralph Beckett’s Pinhole again dips his toe into Group-race waters in the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing Geoffrey Freer Stakes.

The Frankel colt looked an exciting prospect when winning at Southwell at the backend of his juvenile year, but any dreams of Epsom were put to bed after he finished a well-held fourth behind the subsequent dual Derby winner Lambourn on his return in the Chester Vase.

He disappointed as a joint-favourite for the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot on his next start, but made the most of having his sights lowered when bolting up in first-time cheek pieces on his handicap debut three weeks ago, earning him a return to Group Three level at Newbury on Saturday.

Barry Mahon, racing manager for owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: “He was obviously an easy winner the last day and the handicapper has forced our hand to head back into Group company, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.

“He’s a horse we always felt was up to this sort of level, hopefully it’s not coming too soon for him.

“He’s a big horse and probably still a little on the weak side. We started out with Derby ambitions and the form of the Chester Vase has obviously worked out very well, but the Derby was coming too early in his life. Let’s hope we can get back on track at Group-race level.”

Pinhole’s five rivals include the William Haggas-trained Candleford, who was last seen finishing third behind high-class stablemate Al Aasy in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood and Ambiente Friendly, who was one place and just under two lengths adrift of Candleford two weeks ago.

His trainer James Owen said: “He worked nicely on Tuesday morning and he’s taken a step forward from Goodwood, so I think gelding him is definitely helping.

“It’s small steps but I feel I’m getting him back into form. I think if you watch his races, even at Goodwood, in the last 15 yards he’s beginning to stay on again and I just think he needs to give himself chance to get these longer trips, then I do think he will stay well.

“He’s getting better at home and he’s improved the last twice on the track. Sean D Bowen did a great job with him the last day and rode him very well and I think that was the most settled he has been for a long time.”

The Haggas-trained More Thunder is the potential star attraction in other Group race on the card – the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes.

Tom Marquand on More Thunder after winning the bet365 Bunbury Cup  at Newmarket
Tom Marquand on More Thunder after winning the bet365 Bunbury Cup at Newmarket (Joe Giddens/PA)

The four-year-old has won three of his four starts since moving across Newmarket after Sir Michael Stoute’s retirement and he is perhaps unlucky not to be unbeaten, having just failed to reel in Get It in the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He bounced back to winning ways in Newmarket’s Bunbury Cup last month and now gets the chance to showcase his talent at Group Two level.

Haggas told Sky Sports Racing “It was a bit messy at Newmarket, but he’s absolutely fine and it’s time he had a step up in grade.

“He’s a pretty smart horse, he’s done really well. He’s got about the lowest rating of any of the runners on Saturday and yet he’s favourite, I don’t quite understand that, but some people think that he has the potential to do a bit better, so we’ll see if they’re right.”

The highest-rated runner is Witness Stand, who bids for back-to-back Group Two wins for the training partnership of Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole following his surprise Lennox Stakes success.

Insole said: “We obviously have to carry a penalty now, but he’s come out of the race at Goodwood well. He did a nice breeze on Wednesday and we’re really happy with him.

“He’s already a Group Two winner now, so we just hope he turns up and puts in another brave run to do us all proud.”

Field Of Gold found to be lame after Sussex Stakes disappointment

Plans are on ice for Field Of Gold after the Classic and Royal Ascot hero was discovered to be lame following his below-par display in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

John and Thady Gosden’s star three-year-old was sent off the 1-3 favourite to emulate his sire Kingman and thrive against his elders on the Sussex Downs, but could only finish fourth as his Juddmonte-owned pacemaker Qirat caused a seismic shock at 150-1.

The Clarehaven training team suggested the “engine wasn’t there” in the immediate aftermath of the contest and now a potential reason for his disappointing performance could have been found.

“We don’t have the full picture yet, but he is lame on his left-hind,” Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte, told the PA news agency.

“John called me this morning at 7am and said he was ‘off’ behind with a bit of swelling in his leg and the vet is due out to see him later today so until we have the full picture we can’t fully diagnose it.

“But the fact he is lame suggests that could potentially be why we didn’t see the true horse that we know yesterday. We just have to sit tight now until the vet can run through all the tests he can run through.”

With the severity of Field Of Gold’s setback still to be determined, it is unknown at this stage when one of the standout performers of the 2025 season will be next seen in competitive action.

Field Of Gold at Goodwood
Field Of Gold at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Mahon continued: “Plans are on ice and the thing with these things is, it might be a week before anything will show up on an X-ray or whatever, so it’s not something you will have an answer for straight away.

“But the fact the horse is lame indicates there is an issue and we have to address that. What that is and whether it will be a short fix or a long fix, we just don’t know at this stage.”

Despite Field Of Gold’s surprise reversal, there was still plenty of joy for the Juddmonte team with Ralph Beckett’s Qirat stealing the spotlight, with Mahon reflecting on a race of contrasting fortunes.

He added: “It was disappointing from a Field Of Gold point of view, but from a Juddmonte point of view the winner is a home bred and won it in good style and there has to be some satisfaction in that.

“As someone said to me yesterday, it was bittersweet but there was still plenty of sweet.”

Kalpana seeking to join Juddmonte luminaries on King George roll of honour

Kalpana returns to the scene of her finest hour for a mouthwatering renewal of the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Andrew Balding’s charge rounded off her three-year-old campaign with Group One success over the course and distance on Champions Day and has not done much wrong in two starts since, finishing third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and then second in the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland.

Back on home soil, Kalpana is the only filly in a field of five, with Oisin Murphy deputising in the saddle for the suspended Colin Keane.

Kalpana (right) chases home Whirl in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh
Kalpana (right) chases home Whirl in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh (Brian Lawless/PA)

Barry Mahon, racing manager for owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: “We’re all set for Saturday, I think we were hoping for a bit more rain than has actually fallen, but it is what it is and I’m sure it’ll be nice ground on the day.

“It’s a top-class renewal, as you would expect for such a good race, but we’re looking forward to partaking in it.”

Juddmonte’s Bluestocking found only Goliath too strong in last year’s King George before going on to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in the colours of the late Khalid Abdullah, who also claimed Ascot’s midsummer highlight with Dancing Brave and superstar mare Enable, the latter on three occasions.

Both of those equine greats also landed Europe’s premier middle-distance contest, Enable doing so in successive years in 2017 and 2018, and a potential trip to Paris in early October has already been pencilled in for Kalpana ahead of what connections admit is a stern test this weekend.

“Rebel’s Romance is such a legend of a horse and Calandagan and Jan Brueghel are obviously very, very talented,” Mahon added.

“We think going back up to a mile and a half will suit our filly and Andrew said she worked well on Wednesday morning and he’s very happy with her, so we’re hopeful that her first two runs have set her up nicely for this.”

The top two in the market are Jan Brueghel and Calandagan, who renew rivalry after finishing first and second in the Coronation Cup at Epsom in early June.

While Calandagan has since broken his top-level duck in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Jan Brueghel has been kept fresh by Aidan O’Brien and is interestingly fitted with cheekpieces for the first time as he bids to provide his trainer with a fifth King George success.

Jan Brueghel (right) denies Calandagan in the Coronation Cup at Epsom
Jan Brueghel (right) denies Calandagan in the Coronation Cup at Epsom (Adam Davy/PA)

O’Brien, who also saddles the rank outsider and probable pacemaker Continuous, said: “Jan Brueghel is good, everything has gone well since the last day.

“It will be an interesting race and the ground looks like it’s going to be nice.

“Continuous rolls along usually and he’ll go forward, but if someone else wants to go on (and make the running), he’ll be happy too.”

Francis Henri-Graffard’s Calandagan has already shown his liking for Ascot, dominating his rivals in the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting last summer before finishing a close second to Anmaat in October’s Champion Stakes.

Buoyed by his long-awaited first Group One success on home soil four weeks ago, connections are excited to be heading back to Berkshire.

Nemone Routh, racing manager for owners the Aga Khan Studs in France, said: “The horse is in very good form, he took his win at Saint-Cloud very well. I spoke with Mickael Barzalona who rode him in his last piece of work and he’s very happy with him.

“It’s a small field, but he has to take on Jan Brueghel again and obviously Rebel’s Romance was impressive last time out.

“He doesn’t have much ground to make up on Jan Brueghel and although they were calling the ground good to soft at Epsom, we felt it was riding softer that day. He handles softer ground so we can’t use that as an excuse, but I just think maybe his acceleration is a a bit more decisive on firmer ground.

“When it becomes a heavy-duty slugging match I’m not sure that’s really his game, but when he can use his acceleration on good, fast ground I think that’s when he’s at his best.”

William Buick celebrates winning the Hardwicke Stakes aboard Rebel’s Romance
William Buick celebrates winning the Hardwicke Stakes aboard Rebel’s Romance (David Davies/PA)

The small but select field is completed by Rebel’s Romance, who has won seven Group Ones on foreign soil and bids to break his top-level duck at home following his course-and-distance success in last month’s Hardwicke Stakes.

Speaking on the Godolphin website, trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Rebel’s Romance goes into this in great order. There was plenty of strength in depth in this contest 12 months ago, when he ran a good race (finished third), and it looks a similarly strong renewal this time around.

“He is taking on younger opposition again but, wherever he finishes, the others will know that they have had a race.”

Field Of Gold headlines 11 possibles for Sussex test

Field Of Gold is the undoubted star attraction among 11 confirmations for the Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.

John and Thady Gosden’s latest superstar colt has followed an almost identical path to his brilliant sire Kingman so far this season, with a narrow defeat in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket followed by devastating victories in the Irish Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Kingman took on and beat his elders for the first time in the 2014 Sussex Stakes and Field Of Gold is a 4-9 favourite with Coral to follow suit in the hands of William Buick, who is set to deputise in the saddle for the suspended Colin Keane.

The Gosdens and owners Juddmonte have also confirmed Lockinge hero Lead Artist and while he is not expected to take on his stablemate, Juddmonte are set to field a second runner and a potential pacemaker for Field Of Gold in the form of Qirat, who has been supplemented at a cost of £70,000.

Field Of Gold is one of five three-year-olds still in contention, with the other four all trained by Aidan O’Brien. The Ballydoyle handler has left in the French Guineas winner Henri Matisse, who was second to Field Of Gold at Royal Ascot, as well as Serengeti, The Lion In Winter and Exactly from his Classic crop, while he could also call upon talented older miler Diego Velazquez.

Docklands (left) repels Rosallion at Royal Ascot
Docklands (left) repels Rosallion at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

The Harry Eustace-trained Docklands and Richard Hannon’s Rosallion look set to renew rivalry after finishing first and second with only a nose between them in the Queen Anne last month.

The potential line-up is completed by Carl Spackler, who was a multiple Grade One winner in America for Chad Brown but was beaten into sixth place on his first start for leading Australian trainer Ciaron Maher in the Queen Anne.

All eyes on Purview in Leopardstown’s Meld Stakes

Dermot Weld plans to take it “one day at a time” with the exciting Purview, who gets the chance to live up to his reputation in the BoyleSports Meld Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday evening.

The Juddmonte-owned son of Kingman won his only outing at two and briefly looked like giving subsequent Eclipse winner Delacroix a real race in the Leopardstown Derby Trial.

Weld resisted the temptation to run him in a Classic thereafter, giving the imposing colt time to fill his frame, and he is now ready to get back to action.

“It’s nice to have him for what is an excellent renewal of the race. You’ve got horses rated 115 and 113 in the race, so it’s running at probably Group Two level rather than Group Three,” said Weld.

“You’ve two horses rated above him and he’s a big horse that’s developing all the time, that’s why I waited with him, but I see him running a very nice race.

“He’s grown, he’s developing and he’s a big horse, so I’ve just given him time to fill into his big frame.”

On his big-race entries in the Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc, he added: “Let’s see how he gets on and take it one day at a time. Let’s see how we do on Thursday and go forward.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Expanded, unplaced in both the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Irish equivalent, looks to get back on track while Joseph O’Brien’s Galen, who beat Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel in April, sets the standard.

David Loughnane’s mare Sparks Fly is a doubtful runner.

William Buick ‘on the list’ for vacant Field Of Gold ride

William Buick is “on the list” of potential riders who could partner Field Of Gold in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood later this month.

Narrowly denied by Ruling Court in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket when partnered by Kieran Shoemark, the John and Thady Gosden-trained grey has made no mistake in two subsequent outings under Juddmonte’s new retained rider Colin Keane, dominating his rivals in the Irish Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.

However, with Keane ruled out of the entirety of the Goodwood Festival after picking up a 14-day suspension at Sandown last week for transgressing the whip rules, Field Of Gold will require another change of jockey on July 30.

Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon insists no final decision will be made until closer to the time, but told the PA news agency on Saturday: “I’m sure he (Buick) is on the list, but we’ll have to wait and see whether Godolphin have a runner in the race and everything else nearer the time.

“All being well we’re heading to Goodwood – that is plan A. I saw the horse myself earlier this week, he looked in good shape and seems to be doing well.

“We’ll make a decision on who rides him closer to the time.”

John Gosden rates a Buick a possible pick, although he did joke that Frankie Dettori had put in a request for the ride from his American base.

When asked whether Buick was the most likely pilot, Gosden said: “Probably, yes, but I got a picture from Saratoga of a man lighting a picture in a Catholic church and underneath it said ‘please can I have the ride’!

“That’s a joke! Someone like William (it could be), but we haven’t got near the race yet. You know this game, we’ll just wait.”

Colin Keane ruled out of Goodwood by 14-day whip ban

Colin Keane is set to miss the Qatar Goodwood Festival after being suspended for 14 days for using his whip over the permitted level at Sandown last week.

The Irishman has not long been retained by Juddmonte as their first choice jockey and was aboard their colt Windlord when he won the Gala Stakes at the Esher track on Friday.

Keane used his whip eight times in the closing stages of the contest, a count permissible in Ireland but not in England as the limit in Britain is six strikes in Flat contests.

The British Horseracing Authority’s whip review committee has fined him £350 and suspended him from July 22 to August 4, a spell that will see him miss Sussex Stakes ride aboard Field Of Gold – with whom he won both the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Speaking at Sandown on Saturday, the rider said: “I’m so used to eight (strikes) as it is at home, I just have to abide by the rules here.

“That’s the only way I can put it, I know six is the amount over here but when I was in a ding-dong battle, I suppose it just went out of my head unfortunately.

“It’s unfortunate but it’s my own fault.”

New Ground full throttle towards Grand Prix de Paris test

The Grand Prix de Paris is the likely next objective for New Ground following his fourth-place finish in the Betfred Derby.

Trained in France by Henri-Francois Devin, the New Bay colt faced a huge rise in class for the premier Classic at Epsom, but justified the decision of owner-breeders Juddmonte to supplement him with an excellent effort in defeat.

The three-year-old now has the opportunity to prove that performance was no fluke, with an appearance at ParisLongchamp on July 13 on the agenda.

Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European racing manager, said: “New Ground is in the Grand Prix de Paris and he’s in the German Derby. We’ll look at both, but it feels like the Grand Prix de Paris is probably the plan for him.

“He’s a good horse, I think Henri always felt he was very talented and we knew a step up to a mile and a half was going to suit.

“I thought given how he behaved in the preliminaries, he ran an unbelievably good race as he got very warm and very excited, but he came home well.

“I think we’re heading towards the Grand Prix de Paris and hopefully he’ll run a good race there.”

Kalpana out to return to winning ways in Pretty Polly

Kalpana will bid follow in some illustrious hoofprints by providing owner-breeders Juddmonte with back-to-back victories in the Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

The powerhouse operation landed the Group One feature with subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking 12 months ago – and following an excellent start to her campaign when third behind Los Angeles and Anmaat in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, Andrew Balding’s filly looks to add her name to the roll of honour.

“It looks a great renewal, but Kalpana is in good nick, we’re happy with her and she obviously ran well over the course and distance last time,” said Juddmonte’s European racing manager, Barry Mahon.

Having rounded off last season with Group One success on Qipco Champions Day at Ascot, Kalpana was expected to pursue the “Bluestocking route” this term, with Europe’s premier middle-distance contest in Paris on the first Sunday in October a long-term goal.

A planned comeback in York’s Middleton Stakes had to be aborted due to a dirty scope, but she showed her worth behind two top-class colts in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and having since sidestepped the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, she makes a second successive trip across the Irish Sea to take on Aidan O’Brien’s Whirl, who was second to stablemate Minnie Hauk in the Betfred Oaks at Epsom three weeks ago.

Mahon added: “I think the ground was probably a little on the quick side in Ascot. We’ve had a bit of rain here and I’m sure the ground will be good, whereas it was 30 or 32 degrees every day in Ascot and it was just starting to get a bit quick for her.

“We decided to wait and take on our own sex in a Group One instead of going in a Group Two against colts. It’s probably going to be tough to give 12lb to a filly of Whirl’s calibre, but she’s in good form and she’s ready to run a good race.”

Whirl winning the Musidora Stakes at York
Whirl winning the Musidora Stakes at York (Danny Lawson/PA)

Whirl dominated from the front in the Musidora Stakes at York before being beaten a neck by her stable companion at Epsom.

O’Brien said: “She’s a three-year-old, but we always thought this was a race that would suit her and she seems to have come out of Epsom well.

“She won the Musidora over a mile and a quarter and was very impressive that day. It was a big run out of her in Epsom as well and that was a step up to a mile and a half, but looking at her in York you’d say she’ll have no problem going back to a Group One over a mile and a quarter.”

Joseph O’Brien’s Oaks fourth Wemightakedlongway also features, as does French raider Survie, who was last seen finishing second to Arc runner-up Aventure in a Group Two at Saint-Cloud.

Juddmonte juggling pack with leading milers

Connections of Lead Artist are confident the Lockinge hero will put Royal Ascot disappointment behind him before the season is out.

The Juddmonte-owned four-year-old claimed Group One honours for the first time at Newbury last month and was consequently among the leading contenders for last week’s Queen Anne Stakes, but he was ultimately well beaten in seventh place.

“I think they just went far too slow, they crawled for four furlongs and then sprinted and Lead Artist is a horse we know stays beyond a mile,” said Juddmonte’s European racing manager, Barry Mahon.

“It just didn’t pan out for us on the day, but he’s a better horse than that, we know that, and we’ll get him back on track and see the best of him again.”

Where and when Lead Artist will bid to redeem himself is uncertain, with Juddmonte possessing an enviable hand in the mile division, with the Irish Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes hero Field Of Gold the undoubted top dog.

Lead Artist holds an entry in Goodwood’s Sussex Stakes, but is unlikely to head that way if that is the chosen target for his illustrious stablemate, while Harry Charlton’s Irish Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year must also be thrown into the mix.

Mahon added: “I don’t know where we’ll go with Lead Artist yet. There’s going to be a bit of juggling there with him and Field Of Gold and Cosmic Year and Jonquil as well.

“We haven’t quite worked it out yet, but we will as we go.”

Andrew Balding’s Jonquil is another looking to bounce back from an underwhelming performance at Royal Ascot, having seemingly found the six furlongs of the Commonwealth Cup too sharp.

Jonquil will step back up in trip
Jonquil will step back up in trip (David Davies/PA)

He was one of two Juddmonte-owned runners who failed to run up to expectations in that Group One contest, with the Ger Lyons-trained Babouche also well held.

“Babouche was disappointing, she was just too keen and you don’t get away with being that keen in a Group One in Ascot,” said Mahon.

“It was her second time in England and her second time doing that, so we’ll have to go back to the drawing board. We’ll probably keep her in Ireland for the rest of the year and see if we can get her back on track.

“Jonquil was just a bit of a square peg in a round hole – six furlongs was too short for him. Christophe (Soumillon) felt he came home great in the last half-furlong, but he said he needs a mile and we’ll try and find an opportunity.”