William Buick will take the reins aboard star miler Field of Gold in the upcoming Sussex Stakes

With Colin Keane serving a suspension, the Norwegian-born rider will take over the reins of the grey in next week’s Sussex Stakes at Goodwood

Field of Gold delivered a dominant performance to win the Irish 2000 Guineas in convincing fashion / THE CURRAGH

CHICHESTER, Inglaterra (Special for Turf Diario).- William Buick’s star continues to rise ahead of the Glorious Goodwood Festival, where the two-time British Champion Jockey will pilot Field of Gold in next Wednesday’s running of the prestigious Sussex Stakes (G1). The race is one of the meet’s highlights and part of the “Win and You’re In” series granting automatic entry to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) on November 1 at Del Mar.

The grey owned by Juddmonte Farms, fresh off victories in both the Irish 2000 Guineas (G1) and the St. James’s Palace Stakes (G1), will be ridden for the first time by the British-naturalized Norwegian rider. Buick steps in following the suspension of Colin Keane, the originally contracted jockey for the powerful silks. Buick’s confirmation came as little surprise, as John Gosden, co-trainer of the colt alongside his son Thady Gosden, had hinted during the Newmarket July Festival that Buick would likely take the mount if available.

“William came to Newmarket and worked Field of Gold this morning (Tuesday the 23rd),” said John Gosden. “If he’s free on Wednesday, and provided Godolphin doesn’t enter any other runner, he’ll ride him. They got along very well, the work went positively, and we are moving forward with plans for Goodwood. I’ve had a long relationship with William, even before his time with Frankie Dettori.”

In the private gallop, Field of Gold worked over 1500 meters on the Al Bahathri Polytrack, facing a four-year-old handicap-level rival whom he comfortably outpaced by a length at the finish.

By Kingman, Field of Gold now seeks to take another step forward by facing older horses for the first time and establishing himself as one of the continent’s leading milers. His 2025 campaign has been flawless, and his powerful late kick has made him one of the most exciting runners to watch in action each time out.

The likely Sussex Stakes field includes several top-class names. Among them is Rosallion (Blue Point), who was narrowly beaten by Docklands (Massaat) in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot. Also expected is Carl Spackler (Lop de Vega), a multiple Grade 1 winner in the United States. Another key contender is Delacroix (Dubawi), recent winner of the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown, while Henri Matisse (Wootton Bassett), runner-up to Field of Gold in the St. James’s Palace, will seek revenge on ground where experience may play a bigger role.

Given the quality of the probable entrants, this promises to be one of the best editions in recent years. For Field of Gold, it’s a chance to cement his status among Europe’s elite, while for Buick, it represents another opportunity to notch a high-profile victory in a 2025 campaign already packed with big moments.