Jim Goldie is gearing up his stable star American Affair for a return to York next month. The six-year-old began life in handicaps off a mark of 73 in 2023, appearing a modest performer. He rose 27lbs in the 2024 season, winning the Portland off 92.
American Affair won the Lindum York Handicap last season, prior to giving Goldie a first Group 1 after success in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. Injury subsequently put him out of targets such as the Breeders’ Cup or Champions Day, but Goldie has confirmed he’s on track for his return.
Speaking to Racing TV, Goldie said: “He’s doing fine, hopefully we are on schedule. We are being very careful and he is coming very slow to hand. He’s been going quite quiet, he hasn’t done any fast work yet. We’re just working him back slowly but he seems grand. The recovery is going to schedule. We’ve got access to two very excellent vet colleges in Glasgow and Edinburgh,. He’s been bone scanned, had MRI’s and X-rays so it’s going to plan. It will be interesting to see him return higher up the pyramid.
“We’ve pencilled him in for the Minster Stakes. I’d prefer five furlongs, but the choices are kind of limited at five furlongs for him. He’s won at York, he’s obviously won over five. It is a good place to start.
“We’ll take it one step at a time, the aim is to go for the same race at Royal Ascot. Then if we achieve that we will make a plan after that. That plan worked well last year, hopefully we can do a repeat.”
Eternal Sunshine to follow American Affair Path
Jim Goldie has a similarly progressive horse in his company with his homebred mare Eternal Sunshine. The Orientor daughter has climbed 34lbs in two seasons, and equated her stablemate when winning the Portland last season.
She’s likely to follow the American Affair path, according to Jim Goldie, who said” She’s doing really well, she’s seems in good order. We are probably going for the same race that American Affair won last year, the Musselburgh one.
“It’s probably a bit early in the season, but it is an interesting race. The first and second both ended up winning Group races last year.
“She did remarkable last year and she did mature late on. Whether we can get her back up to that level of form again remains to be seen. We are patient with her, she was improving and she’s quite exciting.”