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Royal Ascot's St James's Palace Stakes is shaping up to be a vintage clash with a possible three-way contest between Europe's major Guineas winners. Field Of Gold, the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, is a warm favourite, while Henri Matisse, the French 2,000 Guineas runner-up, is likely to compete. Jonquil, also a Guineas runner-up, is expected to skip the mile contest and instead target the Commonwealth Cup.

Royal Ascot's St James's Palace Stakes is shaping up to be a vintage clash, with a possible three-way contest between Europe's major Guineas winners. Field Of Gold, the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, is a warm favourite, while Henri Matisse, the French 2,000 Guineas runner-up, is likely to compete. Jonquil, also a Guineas runner-up, is expected to skip the mile contest and instead target the Commonwealth Cup.

Field Of Gold, owned by Juddmonte, is a strong contender following his impressive Curragh victory. He came second to Ruling Court at Newmarket but has since been in fine form. Henri Matisse, the French 2,000 Guineas runner-up, is also expected to compete, although he is rated third best of the Guineas winners by most firms. Jonquil, owned by Juddmonte, is likely to step down to six furlongs for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot later this month.

Trainer Andrew Balding of Jonquil is contemplating a different Royal Ascot route. "Jonquil is really good since France and obviously we’re hoping for Royal Ascot and he has a number of engagements there," he said. "I think the most likely at this stage is dropping him back to six for the Commonwealth Cup but it’s all in the mix. I’d hope he has enough speed for that."

Aidan O’Brien is chasing a record-extending 10th success in the prestigious mile contest for three-year-olds and appears likely to rely on Henri Matisse. The "Poulains" winner had his stable companion, the subsequent French Derby winner Camille Pissarro, back in third at Longchamp but is rated third best of the Guineas winners by most firms.

In other news, Godolphin's Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty confirmed his Churchill Downs form with Journalism to land the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday. Journalism had landed the second leg of the US Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, in the interim with Godolphin and trainer Bill Mott opting to skip that Pimlico event to wait for the Belmont. It paid off as Sovereignty proved too strong for his rival in the closing stages.

The decision to remain at a mile with Ruling Court has opened the door for 2000 Guineas third Shadow Of Light to revert to six furlongs for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, the distance he won the Middle Park Stakes over as a juvenile.

References:

[1] https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/2025/06/08/clash-of-the-guineas-winners-shaping-up-in-st-jamess-palace-stakes-at-royal-ascot/
[2] https://www.facebook.com/AscotRacecourse/videos/what-was-the-feeling-when-richard-hannon-won-the-st-jamess-palace-stakes-he-reve/1670393453622214/
[3] https://ascot.attheraces.com/news/2025/June/07/ascot-next,-after-ruling-court-forced-to-miss-derby-due-to-ground
[4] https://www.racingpost.com/news/festivals/derby-festival/2000-guineas-winner-ruling-court-pulled-out-of-betfred-derby-due-to-the-ground-aKXp05X8ZEHX/