Princess Anne was in charge of the trophy presentation for the feature race of the opening day at Royal Ascot.
Dressed in a striking green dress with a light sage coat and pale straw coloured hat, the Princess was all smiles as she handed the trophy over to the connections of Field of Gold – the winner of the St James’s Palace Stakes.
Taking to the podium to receive their prize was jockey, Colin Keane, and trainers, John & Thady Gosden.
For racing fans, the St James’s Palace Stakes was built up to be one of the biggest races of the year – with the world’s top three-year-old colts taking each other on.
(Photo by Charlie Proctor)
Field Of Gold is a striking grey who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, and probably should have won the English version of the race too.
Other horses who took part included Breeders’ Cup winner, Henri Matisse, and Ruling Court, who beat Field Of Gold in the English 2,000 Guineas in May.
The St James’s Palace Stakes is one of Royal Ascot’s most prestigious races, held annually on the opening day of the meeting. Run over one mile on the round course, it is a Group 1 contest restricted to three-year-old colts, and regularly attracts the leading 2,000 Guineas contenders from Britain, Ireland, and beyond.
The race was first run in 1834, and has long been a centrepiece of the Royal Meeting. Its name pays tribute to St James’s Palace, one of the oldest royal residences in London.
(Photo by Charlie Proctor)
Originally built by King Henry VIII in the 1530s, St James’s Palace served as the official residence of the monarch for over 300 years and remains a working royal building today. Although no longer the principal royal residence, it still houses members of the Royal Household and plays a key ceremonial role in royal life.
The race’s naming reflects Royal Ascot’s deep-rooted association with the monarchy. It honours the palace’s historical importance as a royal court and the centre of British power during centuries when horse racing rose to prominence as a sport of kings.
Elevated to Group 1 status in 1988, the St James’s Palace Stakes has since become a critical part of the international flat racing calendar, often producing thrilling showdowns between Guineas winners and emerging stars.
