Goldie cool on idea of Goodwood for American Affair

Jim Goldie is minded to miss Goodwood and wait for the Nunthorpe Stakes at York with his King Charles III Stakes hero American Affair.

The Royal Ascot hero is the third generation of the family Goldie has trained, with American Affair’s dam, Classy Anne, by Orientor whom Goldie guided with great success.

American Affair was, though, Goldie’s first ever Group One winner after several near-misses and he now has more big targets in his sights for the Paul Mulrennan-ridden five-year-old.

“It’s just started to sink in. He’s come out of the race well and he’s been out on the gallops yesterday and today,” said Goldie on Sunday.

“The stars aligned, but that is quite often the case with good horses. I still don’t think he’s quite as good as Orientor was, but I probably had him early enough in my career and I learned a lot from him. Fortunately for me we kept him an entire which looks very shrewd now!

“We learned a lot from the likes of him, Jack Dexter and Hawkeyethenoo. I’m looking forward to seeing where this horse will peak.”

Looking to the future Goldie does not believe Goodwood’s downhill five furlongs is totally suitable in the King George Stakes.

“Five furlongs up a hill at Ascot is the perfect fit for him, I always thought it might be, so I’m not sure Goodwood will suit him going downhill,” he said.

“Otherwise we will wait for York and the Nunthorpe where we might have to take on a two-year-old or two which will be interesting.”

Even further afield, American Affair now has an all-expenses paid trip to the Breeders’ Cup to look forward to.

“We’ll have to have a serious think about the Breeders’ Cup if they are going to pay. I can’t think of any other horse trained in Scotland to have run at it!” said Goldie.