Field Of Gold will undergo tests after being found to be lame following his defeat in the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on Wednesday.
The brilliant Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes winner could only finish fourth behind 150-1 shot Qirat in the feature on day two despite being sent off the 1-3 favourite.
However, a potential reason for his defeat has come to light as he was found to be lame on Thursday morning.
Speaking to the Racing Post, joint-trainer Thady Gosden said: “He’s lame on his left hind and we’ll investigate to see if we can find what’s causing it. It’s something that wasn’t there yesterday but has come to light today.
“He seemed fine and chilled out after the race and travelled home fine but when we trotted him up this morning he was off on his left hind. We’ll see how he is.”
BHA director of equine health and welfare James Given explained that each horse is observed when they leave the track to ensure everything is in order.
Given said: “All horses are observed in the pull-up area and as they come off the track by the racecourse vets and a veterinary officer. The horses then return to the stable yard where an equine welfare integrity officer assesses them.
“If any of us had cause for concern, or we were alerted to a cause for concern, we would look at the horse. It is therefore fair to say all horses are observed after a race and then examined if that is felt to be necessary.”
Field Of Gold (background) couldn’t get close to shock winner Qirat and runner-up Rosallion in the Sussex StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Qirat was supplemented by Juddmonte with the idea of being a pacemaker for Field Of Gold, who became the fourth odds-on loser in this race in the last 35 years.
The star miler, who was ridden by William Buick for the first time with Juddmonte’s retained rider Colin Keane serving a whip ban, failed to pick up in the seven-runner contest and finished behind Rosallion and Henri Matisse.
Qirat and Serengeti cut out the early running, but the chasing pack didn’t close as quickly as expected and Qirat held on for a stunning upset.
Field Of Gold challenged widest of all under Buick in the final two furlongs and was unable to lay down any real challenge.
Speaking immediately after the race, Gosden said: “He didn’t seem comfortable and William said as soon as he asked him, the engine wasn’t there, simple as that.”
Field Of Gold has been one of the stars of the Flat season since kicking 2025 off with a dominant victory in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket in April. That prompted him to be sent off favourite for the 2,000 Guineas, but he was narrowly beaten at Newmarket by Ruling Court, with the fallout of that defeat seeing his rider Kieran Shoemark lose his role as number one jockey to the Gosdens.
Colin Keane took over and guided the striking grey to impressive victories in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes before the shock Goodwood reversal ended his Group 1-winning run.
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‘The engine wasn’t there’ – John Gosden reflects on Field Of Gold’s shock Sussex Stakes defeat
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