Baaeed is rated as one of the world’s leading racehorses and the unbeaten miler did his reputation no harm at all with a comfortable success at Royal Ascot. William Haggas’ runner prevailed in the opening race of the meeting, the Queen Anne Stakes.
The son of Sea The Stars came home ahead of Real World by just under two lengths. The four-year-old’s victory was his third consecutive success at Group One level, following wins in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Lockinge Stakes.
Connections of the horse now have to think about the path they take for the rest of the year. The Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, where he is 4/7 in the Paddy Power horse racing odds, look like his obvious next move.
The racing results from Paddy Power show that Baaeed has yet to appear further than 1m in his career. However, Haggas has hinted at stepping his horse up to 1m2f later in the campaign. His first taste at 10 furlongs could come in the Juddmonte International at York’s Ebor Meeting in August.
Arc Likely to Be in the Equation
If Baaeed continues to be successful over 1m2f, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe may become an option for his connections in October. The race at Longchamp in Paris takes place over 1m4f, so he would need to prove his stamina before then.
Baaeed continues to be compared to Frankel, the greatest miler of the modern era. A win in the Arc would be something that Frankel never achieved in his glittering career. It would also show how versatile the horse is.
Haggas has been successful in the Derby, Oaks, and Eclipse throughout his career, however, he has yet to win the Arc, Europe’s premier turf race for open-age horses. The temptation to travel to Paris with a strong chance may be too much to turn down for the 61-year-old.
Another option later in the year is the Breeders’ Cup meeting at Keeneland in Kentucky. The Breeders’ Cup Mile and Breeders’ Cup Turf are two races that are likely to be on the radar for the British-based horse.
Crawley Describes Baaeed as “Once in a Lifetime”
Former Champion Jockey Jim Crowley is the fortunate rider who gets to saddle Baaeed as Shadwell Racing’s retained jockey. After his Queen Anne success, he described the colt as being the best he has ever sat on.
Crawley has commented in the past that Baaeed is a ‘once in a lifetime horse’. He is likely to give the jockey the opportunity to win some of the world’s biggest races in 2022, adding to his already impressive CV.
The winning jockey from the Queen Anne Stakes has partnered with Baaeed in his last six races. He has seen the horse progress as a three-year-old from being a novice with big prospects to being crowned the champion miler.
Whatever route connections choose with their colt for the rest of the season, all eyes are going to be on him, as the best may still be to come.
