Racing

Irish Champion Stakes floated as a wildcard option for Baaeed

Four-year-old extended unbeaten record to 10 with impressive triumph at York

Baaeed ridden by Jim Crowley on their way to winning the Juddmonte International Stakes on day one of the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Baaeed ridden by Jim Crowley on their way to winning the Juddmonte International Stakes on day one of the Ebor Festival at York Racecourse. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Wire
Thu Aug 18 2022 - 18:01

William Haggas has not definitively ruled out that the Irish Champion Stakes could be a possible option for Baaeed before his planned Ascot swansong in October.

The four-year-old extended his unbeaten record to 10 with an impressive triumph in Wednesday’s Juddmonte International at York, switching up to a mile and a quarter for the first time and dishing out a six-and-a-half-length beating to defending champion Mishriff.

Bookmakers immediately started offering short odds about Baaeed for the 12-furlong Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October, but both Haggas and Sheikha Hissa were cool on the proposal immediately after the race.

Haggas has long had his sights set on the Qipco Champion Stakes as Baaeed’s career finale, but his entry in the Royal Bahrain-backed Irish equivalent gives connections a further opportunity should they decide the son of Sea The Stars wants another run.

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Haggas told Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast: “He seems fine, he’s trotted up good — he’s lost a bit of weight but we’re happy with him and very proud.

“Ultimately it is not my decision [where Baaeed runs]. The horse doesn’t belong to me, the horse is trained by us and it’s Sheikha Hissa’s decision and I’m sure we’ll talk about it again because lots of people will be trying to convince Angus [Gold, racing manager] and Sheikha Hissa that the Arc is the right way forward.

“I’m open to suggestions, that’s always been our plan to go to Ascot but plans can change. I’m not saying for a minute they’re going to, but the only thing I will say is it’s nearly two months now to Champions Day and that’s quite a long time.”

Of the 10-furlong Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 10th, Haggas added: “That’s the perfect fit if he was to have another race, so that’s obviously open for discussion.

“He’s in the race and we’ll just see what happens but he’d have to be in pretty rude health to be going to Ireland, so we shall see.”

On the prospect of the Arc, Gold told Sky Sports Racing: “It was always William’s plan to end up at Ascot. Obviously there was a lot of talk about the Arc yesterday and would we consider that.

“I spoke to Sheikha Hissa briefly after the race and asked if she would even be thinking of the Arc, but she said she thought it best to stick to William’s plan and end up at Ascot so for the moment we’ll stick with that.

“I’m sure she will talk to her family when she gets home and there’ll be another discussion, but that is what she said yesterday and unless William changes his mind I’m sure that is what she’ll want to do.”

Baaeed has been awarded a rating of 135 following his International romp, putting him behind only the legendary Frankel (140) and his sire Sea The Stars (136) since the rankings began 18 years ago.

The British Horseracing Authority’s head of handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill said: “I will be raising Baaeed 7lb from 128 to 135 for his success in the Juddmonte International yesterday — a figure only bettered by Frankel and Sea The Stars since the inception of the World’s Best Racehorse Rankings in 2004.”

He added a full explanation of the rating will be published next week.