Field Of Gold Undergoing Tests After Shock Sussex Stakes Defeat & Lameness Discovery
A stunning upset at Glorious Goodwood has been compounded by concerns for star colt Field Of Gold, who is set to undergo veterinary examinations after being found lame Thursday morning. The three-year-old, a dominant force in the early Flat season, finished a disappointing fourth in the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes on Wednesday, losing to the 150-1 longshot Qirat.
The defeat sent shockwaves through the racing world, but the subsequent discovery of lameness raises serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the performance. According to racing reporter Nick Luck, who spoke with joint-trainer John Gosden, Field Of Gold is exhibiting noticeable lameness on his near hind leg. “John told me that Field Of Gold is lame on his near hind leg, his left hind leg,” Luck reported on X. “He said it’s fairly obvious he’s lame and that a vet is going to come in and perform all the requisite tests to try and ascertain the nature of the injury.”
Field Of Gold, previously undefeated in Group 1 company this season with victories in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes, was sent off as a heavy 1-3 favorite at Goodwood. However, the striking grey colt never found his stride in the seven-runner contest, trailing behind Qirat, Rosallion, and Henri Matisse.
The circumstances surrounding Qirat’s victory are equally remarkable. The filly was supplemented by Juddmonte specifically to act as a pacemaker for Field Of Gold, but instead seized the lead and held on for a historic win. Qirat’s success marks the fourth time in the last 35 years that the odds-on favorite has been defeated in the Sussex Stakes.
Adding to the complexity of the race, Field Of Gold was ridden for the first time by William Buick, with Juddmonte’s retained rider Colin Keane sidelined due to a whip ban. Gosden noted immediately after the race that something was amiss. “We’ll have to see why [he wasn’t at his best],” Gosden said. “He’s having a normal blow and we’ll have a good look. He didn’t seem comfortable and William said as soon as he asked him, the engine wasn’t there, simple as that.”
The Sussex Stakes reversal comes after a promising start to the year for Field Of Gold, who kicked off 2025 with a commanding victory in the Craven Stakes in April. While favored in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, he narrowly lost to Ruling Court, a result that led to a change in jockeys, with Keane replacing Kieran Shoemark as Gosden’s primary rider. Keane then guided Field Of Gold to impressive wins in both the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, building anticipation for a strong showing at Goodwood.
The dramatic turn of events at Glorious Goodwood, coupled with the discovery of lameness, casts a shadow over Field Of Gold’s future prospects and raises questions about the factors that contributed to his unexpected defeat. The results of the forthcoming veterinary tests will be crucial in determining the extent of the injury and the path forward for this once-promising colt.
