This week brought the news that, following a smooth performance aboard Field Of Gold in the Irish 2000 Guineas, Colin Keane has taken up the position as the retained rider to Juddmonte.
This development was merely confirmation of a rumour that had rumbled in the racing background since the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Ruling Court may have claimed the Classic, but poor old Kieran Shoemark was hung out to dry for his ride aboard the fast-finishing runner-up, Field Of Gold.
The fact that Shoemark was in the saddle that day had little to do with Field Of Gold’s owner, Juddmonte. His booking aboard the son of Kingman stemmed from his status as the number one rider at the John & Thady Gosden operation – a status that has now been revoked by the Gosdens. The result also appears to have prompted Juddmonte to rethink their riding arrangements in the biggest events.
Unlike fellow ownership titans Godolphin and Coolmore, who retain the services of William Buick and Ryan Moore, respectively, Juddmonte had not employed a retained rider since James Doyle over a decade ago in 2014. That has now changed, with Juddmonte Chief Executive Douglas Erskine Crum stating, “We have decided that the time has now come to revert to the security and consistency which comes from having a single jockey retainer relationship.”
Successful Auditions Lead to Starring Role
As a six-time Irish Champion Jockey with a dozen Group 1 triumphs, 30-year-old Colin Keane looked like an obvious choice on paper, with the rider achieving considerable success in partnership with leading trainer Ger Lyons.
Keane’s stats certainly stack up well, and it can’t have hurt his chances that he has delivered for Juddmonte on the big stage in the past. Before his notable success aboard Field Of Gold in the 2025 Irish 2000 Guineas, he had timed his run to perfection to claim the 2020 edition of that contest aboard Siskin. Keane stepped in to partner Westover in the Irish Derby in 2022, with rider Robert Havlin much critiqued for his ride aboard the Ralph Beckett runner in the Epsom version of the race.
Just as was the case when taking over aboard Field Of Gold, Keane made no mistake in powering to a seven-length romp at the Curragh. Adding to that record with three Group class wins aboard Babouche, it is no surprise that the County Meath native topped the Juddmonte wish list.
Flying Start at Royal Ascot?
Having already ridden in numerous Group 1 events, including for his new employer, Keane is well-placed to cope with the pressure which goes hand in hand with such a high-profile job. When asked to reflect on taking up the role, excitement appears to be the overriding feeling for Keane, with the jockey stating, “I grew up watching those colours all through my childhood, and to be wearing them now is just brilliant.”
With Royal Ascot kicking off on Tuesday, 17th June, Keane has little time to get his feet under the Juddmonte table. Whilst perhaps not quite on a par with the overwhelming Godolphin and Coolmore battalions, Keane looks in line for a book of rides that will be the envy of most riders in the weighing room.
Will Keane make a flying start in the iconic silks at Royal Ascot 2025? With the following quartet amongst his scheduled mounts, we wouldn’t be in a rush to bet against him.
Field Of Gold – St. James’s Palace Stakes
The horse who possibly should have won the English 2000 Guineas and definitely did win the Irish version looks to add to his burgeoning reputation in this Day 1 event. Ruling Court and French 2000 winner Henri Matisse lie in wait amongst the opposition, but Field Of Gold has looked like the best three-year-old miler in training so far this season. With Keane in the saddle, he gets the chance to prove it here.
Lead Artist – Queen Anne Stakes
Also hailing from the John & Thady Gosden operation, Lead Artist gives Keane the chance to kick off Royal Ascot in style in the opening Queen Anne Stakes. Generally progressive last season, the Dubawi colt disappointed on his seasonal return but arrives on the back of a big career-best win in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
Babouche – Commonwealth Cup
Whilst Keane has yet to ride Lead Artist, he will find a familiar partner beneath him in the big sprint contest for the three-year-olds. Keane has already steered Babouche to the winner’s enclosure on four occasions, including in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. Looking in need of the outing on her seasonal return, she bounced back to her exhilarating best in the Lacken Stakes in May. If repeating that effort here, she has every chance of claiming this Day 4 highlight.
Kalpana – Prince Of Wales’s Stakes
Juddmonte’s most notable success of 2024 was provided by the wonderful Bluestocking in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Replacing the now-retired Ralph Beckett star will be no easy task, but many believe Kalpana may be up to the job. Hailing from the yard of Andrew Balding, the daughter of Study Of Man rattled off a hattrick at the back end of 2024, culminating in an authoritative success in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes. Not beaten far when third behind Los Angeles on her return in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, she looks like a big player in this 1m2f contest on Day 2.
Given his record on the big stage, championship-winning efforts in Ireland, and strong work ethic, Keane has all the tools to succeed in his new role. No doubt the new partnership will hit the Group 1 target at some stage – perhaps as early as next week.
