One of the standout contests on Royal Ascot’s opening day, the St James’s Palace Stakes brings together the best three-year-old colts from across Europe in a battle for supremacy over the round mile.
Traditionally, a key follow-up to the 2000 Guineas and other spring Classics, the race offers a chance for redemption, rivalry, and the crowning of a true star of the generation.
With form lines beginning to settle and reputations on the rise, the Royal Ascot tips are already shaping up for a fascinating renewal. That said, here’s a look at the leading contenders as Royal Ascot draws closer.
Field Of Gold – 9/4
Father-son trainers John and Thady Gosden and esteemed Juddmonte were left reeling with jockey Kieran Shoemark after his ride on Field Of Gold in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
The son of Kingman was the red-hot favourite for the first Classic of the season after winning the Craven in convincing fashion at HQ a couple of weeks earlier.
However, Shoemark was deemed to move too late on Field Of Gold as William Buick kicked on with the eventual winner Ruling Court—who held on by half-a-length.
The fallout has been monumental, with Shoemark losing his job as the retained rider for the Gosden team. Connections will be hoping their star three-year-old can bounce back at Ascot.
Shadow Of Light – 9/2
Champion two-year-old Shadow Of Light won three of his four starts as a juvenile last season—including back-to-back Group 1s at Newmarket in the Middle Park and prestigious Dewhurst.
However, there were murmurs out of Godolphin’s Moulton Paddocks that he wasn’t training well ahead of the Guineas.
Those rumours appeared to be confirmed when Buick opted to ride Ruling Court in the first Classic of the season, but Shadow Of Light ran a big race under Mickael Barzalona to finish third.
Appleby dismissed suggestions that the son of Lope De Vega didn’t see out the mile as he appeared to fade late on as Field Of Gold and Ruling Court finished strong, and he can prove his stamina here.
Cosmic Year – 6/1
Another three-year-old who is set to have a big season for Juddmonte, Cosmic Year’s win in the King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket 24 hours before the Guineas perhaps only added to their blow.
The world-class operation opted to leave the Harry Charlton-trained horse out of the Classic in favour of Field Of Gold, but he went on to win nicely in the Listed race under Ryan Moore.
That extended Cosmic Year’s unbeaten record to three under rules, with a win at Sandown on debut last September and a reappearance victory at Kempton in April.
The way he stayed on and won going away over seven furlongs at Newmarket last time out suggests he’s ready to be tested over a mile, and he can’t be ruled out in the St. James’s Palace.
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2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court could come here after attempting to win the prestigious Epsom Derby, while Henri Matisse and Twain are both currently 8/1 for top trainer Aidan O’Brien.
