Shadwell Estate Company's homebred Baaeed (GB) routed his opposition in devastating style in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York on Wednesday. Ridden by Jim Crowley, Baaeed won his third Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In race this year but his first for the US$6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on dirt. Baaeed previously earned automatic berths into the US$2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) when he captured the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot and the Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood.
The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 82 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, on Nov. 4-5.
The 4-year-old son of Sea The Stars (GB) trained by William Haggas stepped up to 1 ¼-miles for the first time in his career and emulated his sire who won this race in 2009. This was his sixth consecutive G1 success and he has now won each of his 10 career starts. Baaeed came into this race rated No.1 in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings and put in arguably a career-best performance in front of a huge crowd at York.
Haggas, who was born in Yorkshire, was keen to ensure that his horse receives the recognition he deserves, he said: “Just give him credit for what he does – don't compare him to (2012 winner) Frankel (GB). It was a superlative performance and very satisfying to see him on the bridle 1 ½-furlongs out. It proves he gets the trip. It was a spectacular performance and I'm glad now that everyone will believe me. We think he is fantastic and have felt so for some time.”
Haggas went onto say that a trip to ParisLongchamp for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) was unlikely with the QIPCO British Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot his main aim. The QIPCO British Champion Stakes is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In race for the US$4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1).
He added: “He will go for the Champion Stakes at Ascot. He can't do both (the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Champion Stakes), and we wanted our finale in the Champion Stakes and that has always been the plan.”
Jim Crowley said that Baaeed is one of the greats.
He told media after the race: “I just couldn't believe it. I've always known he was there, from day one, the very first time I rode him at Newmarket, I knew he was a bit special then. He just has everything – he is the perfect racehorse. I'm not joking, I think he could win a July Cup (G1) over 6-furlongs or a race up to 1 ½-miles. He has everything. He is an easy ride and was on it today. He is not ground dependent – he is just the perfect racehorse. He is as good as the greats.”
Sent off at 2/5 against five rivals, Baaeed took his time as High Definition (IRE) set a fast-early pace with last year's winner Mishriff (IRE) under James Doyle tracking him in second. Crowley stalked his way through the field on Baaeed and it wasn't until the 1-furlong pole that he asked his mount for his effort. The response was instantaneous, and the race was over in a matter of strides. Mishriff finished 6 ½-lengths back in second with Sir Busker (IRE) a further 2 ½-lengths back in third. Baaeed completed the race in 2:09.30.
In addition to Baaeed, four other runners have also earned automatic berths into the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic thus far in 2022: Cafe Pharoah, who won the February Stakes (G1) in Japan; Olympiad, who captured the Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs; Cyberknife, winner of the TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park, and Life Is Good, winner of the Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.
As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Baaeed to start in the US$6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland, which will be run at 1 ¼ miles. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 24 to receive the rewards.
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