Baaeed Powers To Impressive Sussex Triumph

It takes a real good one to make Goodwood's G1 Qatar Sussex S.–a “Win And You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile–look like a piece of strong work, but then all who assembled on the Downs on Wednesday have come to expect nothing less by now from Shadwell's stellar miler Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Like the champions Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) and Frankel (GB), who stopped off here as they devoured group 1s, the peerless homebred is almost running his own virtual reality race against them by now. The best that has passed through the able hands of William Haggas, the 1-6 shot was able to garner another prize at these heights without a hint of stress as his adoring owner Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum glowed with pride.

Kept wide and out of any potential bother that can afflict even the most talented at this venue, Jim Crowley asked him to shut down the brave front-running Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) heading to the furlong pole and the result was settled in customary rapid fashion. That sprinter's pace he displayed so flagrantly at Royal Ascot took him to the line 1 3/4 lengths to the good over the 3-year-old Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), despite his rider revealing that he had switched off in front. Last year's winner Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) could not land a blow this time, 1 3/4 lengths away in third as she denied the Japanese raider what would have been a worthy placing by a short head.

“That was some feeling, it really was,” Crowley said. “He came into the race between the three and the two unbelievably–he just cruises into it. The race went perfectly and if anything, he shut down when he hit the front so I gave him a couple of taps today. You can see from his demeanour after the race, it takes nothing out of him–he hardly blew. He's a horse of a lifetime and it's a testament to the breeding operation. For sure, he's the best I've ridden–he's something else.”

 

While the clock had already told us that Baaeed had star material before his emergence at the 2021 Qatar Goodwood Festival, the dynamic colt we now know really emerged here with a 6 1/2-length rout which acted as a springboard to his first assignment at this level in the Prix du Moulin. Comfortable in success in that ParisLongchamp feature, there was not enough in his performance to convince all that he could subdue Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the Queen Elizabeth II S. but on Champions Day he had the sharper acceleration of the two. This is not a family that stands still and the winter months benefitted him so well that he was able to enjoy a procession in the Lockinge. While the Queen Anne was more of a test due to the ride given to the classy Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), it only served to draw out his ability to perform radically-quick sectionals when most at this trip are tying up.

Anchored towards the back throughout the early stages of this contest which was shaped by the enterprise of Ryusei Sakai on the 66-1 shot Bathrat Leon, he matched strides with Alcohol Free until leaving her behind heading to the cutaway. While the filly was a touch snared in traffic towards the rail, Baaeed's sheer athletic edge was already telling and as he went beyond recall it was left to Modern Games to give closest pursuit. The fact that the runner-up was able to get to within two lengths of the winner at the line makes the loss of Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) the race's only downside, but the way Baaeed operates puts the pondering of any other outcome into the realms of fantasy.

Now on five straight group 1 wins alongside former turf giants Dubai Millennium (GB), Enable (GB), Giant's Causeway and St Mark's Basilica (Fr), it is on to number six at York as he goes up more than two furlongs for the Aug. 17 Juddmonte International. “I don't see ten furlongs being a problem for him,” his rider added. “He's had an easy time and William can give him a lovely run-in to York now.”

Haggas, a proud Yorkshireman, holds the Ebor week in which the Juddmonte International is encased as close to his heart as any of the great British festivals. He can now relish the lead-up to Baaeed's next examination over an extended 10 furlongs which looks more straightforward after some notable defections over the past week or so. “Today was a big day, but I'm really looking forward to stepping up to ten furlongs, as I think he would enjoy it. We'll go for the Champion Stakes or the QEII, depending on how he gets on at York. It's a relief and we've got him for two more races after this, so let's just enjoy him and make the most of him.”

Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum summed up the emotion of the moment. “For me, and for my family, he means the world,” she said. “He's from the lineage that my father worked hard on and he's a pleasure to have. He has a very calm exterior and loves his work, so that's nice to see from a horse person's perspective. I'm very excited to see him at York–he's ready for a mile and a quarter.”

Charlie Appleby said of Modern Games, who was back at his optimum trip over which he won the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, “He is like his father–he goes down on his sword. Everyone said to me you've got your substitute, but he is no substitute–he has won a Breeders' Cup Juvenile and a French Guineas. I would like to have a few more substitutes like that! He will either go to Canada or Keeneland and then you will see him in Kentucky for the Breeders' Cup Mile.” William Buick summed it up when adding, “It was a race for second and Modern Games came second, so we are delighted.”

Alcohol Free's trainer Andrew Balding commented, “She has run a marvellous race. I thought Rob Hornby did a beautiful job of getting her to settle. She was checked at a crucial stage, but she would not have got anywhere near the winner. However, despite losing some momentum, she has put her head down and stayed on right the way to the line. William Haggas couldn't believe how much she had developed, as you sort of miss it when you see her every day. She has really developed into a fantastic-looking racemare and we are thrilled with her.”

“I am leaving future plans up to Jeff [Smith],” Balding added. “We have entered her in everything over six furlongs up to a mile at group one level. The filly will tell us to a certain extent, but anything is possible. It could be France, the Matron Stakes or the Haydock Sprint Cup. She owes us nothing, but she is thriving at the minute, but as soon as we think she has had enough, that will be that.”

Following the outcome of Saturday's King George, it is with even greater disappointment that the sport has been denied the prospect of seeing Baaeed's full-brother Hukum (Ire) back up his ready G1 Coronation Cup defeat of Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}). Also successful in the G2 Dubai City Of Gold and a trio of group 3 races over 12 furlongs or more, it is a foregone conclusion on a pedigree basis that Baaeed will eat up the mile-and-a-quarter-plus of the Juddmonte International.

The dam Aghareed (Kingmambo) won over that trip in the Listed Prix de Liancourt and is a daughter of Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) who achieved champion grass mare status with wins in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and Flower Bowl Invitational. With reference to Height Of Fashion's trio of Nashwan, Nayef and Unfuwain, it is a surprise that the freakish Baaeed possesses what is effectively sprinting speed and that will be a rare weapon at York in three weeks' time. Aghareed also has the unraced 3-year-old filly Zaghaareed (GB) (Intello {Ger}), 2-year-old colt Naqeeb (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and yearling colt by Night Of Thunder (Ire).

Wednesday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR SUSSEX S.-G1, £1,000,000, Goodwood, 7-27, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:37.74, g/f.
1–BAAEED (GB), 136, c, 4, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
     1st Dam: Aghareed, by Kingmambo
     2nd Dam: Lahudood (GB), by Singspiel (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Rahayeb (GB), by Arazi
O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (GB); T-William Haggas; J-Jim Crowley. £567,100. Lifetime Record: 9-9-0-0, $2,635,010. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Modern Games (Ire), 128, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Modern Ideals (GB), by New Approach (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £215,000.
3–Alcohol Free (Ire), 133, f, 4, No Nay Never–Plying, by Hard Spun. (€40,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV). O-J C Smith; B-Churchtown House Stud (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £107,600.
Margins: 1 3/4, 1 3/4, SHD. Odds: 0.17, 12.00, 11.00.
Also Ran: Bathrat Leon (Jpn), Angel Bleu (Fr), Chindit (Ire), Order Of Australia (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Blandford Bloodstock Snaps Up Rihaam For 540k At Tattersalls July

Lot 179, the 9-year-old Dansili (GB) mare Rihaam (Ire), took the lead midway through the first session of the Tattersalls July Sale on Wednesday, selling for 540,000gns to Blandford Bloodstock. Consigned by Shadwell, the half-sister to three stakes winners is carrying to Dark Angel (Ire). This is the same family as G1 Jebel Hatta winner Alfareeq (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

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Baaeed Follows The Script In The Queen Anne

The Platinum Jubilee Royal Ascot 2022 got off to the perfect start as Shadwell's Baaeed (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}–Aghareed, by Kingmambo) carried on his winning streak in the G1 Queen Anne S. Always comfortable tracking the G1 Lockinge S. runner-up Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) up the centre under Jim Crowley, the 1-6 favourite swooped on that rival with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and was soon in command. Ridden out to maintain safe distance as the Godolphin runner stayed in contention, the bay had 1 3/4 lengths to spare at the line as they pulled clear of Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}).

Tuesday, Ascot, Britain
QUEEN ANNE S.-G1, £600,000, Ascot, 6-14, 4yo/up, 8fT, 1:37.76, g/f.
1–BAAEED (GB), 128, c, 4, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Aghareed (SW-Fr), by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Lahudood (GB), by Singspiel (Ire)
3rd Dam: Rahayeb (GB), by Arazi
O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (GB); T-William Haggas; J-Jim Crowley. £340,260. Lifetime Record: 8-8-0-0, $1,952,782. *Full to Hukum (IRE), G1SW-Eng & GSW-UAE, $892,671. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Real World (Ire), 128, h, 5, Dark Angel (Ire)–Nafura (GB), by Dubawi (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Saeed bin Suroor. £129,000.
3–Order of Australia (Ire), 128, h, 5, Australia (GB)–Senta's Dream (GB), by Danehill. O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Mrs A M O'Brien; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £64,560.
Margins: 1 3/4, 4, 2 1/4. Odds: 0.17, 7.50, 18.00.
Also Ran: Chindit (Ire), Sir Busker (Ire), Lights On (GB), Accidental Agent (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Hukum Powers To Coronation Cup Glory

Shadwell's homebred 5-year-old entire Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Aghareed, by Kingmambo) struck four times at Group 3 level in 2020 and 2021 before annexing Meydan's Mar. 5 G2 Dubai City of Gold and went postward for his European return in Friday's G1 Dahlbury Coronation Cup at Epsom coming back off a seventh in March's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. Stepping out of the shadow of his hitherto unbeaten full-brother Baaeed (GB), he was unmatched in the closing stages of the 12-furlong contest and powered clear of a select field to secure a career high in impressive fashion. Hukum broke smartly and raced to the fore through the early strides before accepting a tow in fourth. Making smooth headway once leaving Tattenham Corner behind, the 11-4 chance loomed large on the bridle with three furlongs remaining and lengthened clear once hitting the front at the quarter-mile marker to easily account for last year's hero Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) by 4 1/4 lengths. Aidan O'Brien trainee High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was a half length back in third with 9-4 second favourite Manobo (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) another 4 1/4 lengths adrift in fourth.

“He's been a wonderful horse for me, he's won numerous Group 3s and then the Group 2 in Dubai,” said winning trainer Owen Burrows. “He then ran probably his best race there in the Sheema Classic, when he was drawn a bit wide, they didn't go very quick and he was only beaten about a length-and-a-half. I always felt that there was one of these in him and I'm just thrilled he's done it for the team back home and also for the horse himself. I'm thrilled for everybody. We've got reduced numbers, but it's still a big thrill for me that I'm still training for Shadwell and for Sheikh Hamdan's family. Hopefully, this will document that we can get the job done and entice a few more owners and horses in. Timing wise, this has been brilliant. It's been a tough time and we've had to reduce the team, but the guys I've got left have been brilliant. They've really got their heads down and worked hard. John, my head man, rides Hukum all the time and is leading up today, my assistant Rob is back at home holding the show on the road. They are a great team and we'll celebrate this win”

Looking ahead, Burrows continued, “He was pretty impressive there and we'll have to get our heads together and see where we go next. It's important to have a little bit of juice in the ground, but he's pretty versatile. He'll be in the [G1] Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at the beginning of July and he's in a German Group 1 in August. He's also in the [G1] Irish St Leger and then we possibly thought about Canada. I half intimated this might be his only sighting this year in England, but we might have to rethink that now. The [G1] King George [VI & Queen Elizabeth S.] would be the obvious one, but we'd have to see what the ground is like and have a chat with the team. He wasn't entered for the Arc originally, but he should get a bit of juice in the ground there and it's definitely an option.”

Winning rider Jim Crowley added, “What a difference a year makes. I got a lot of stick last year and had a much more willing partner this year. He's got high expectations with his brother, so it's nice to win a big Group 1 with him. Owen didn't tie me down, which was good. I've been in the game long enough now to do my own thing and at the top of the hill they were going quite slow, so I decided to press forward and get him into a prominent position so we could be close enough turning in. Everybody was looking at each other at the top of the hill and the last thing I wanted to do was to get caught flat footed coming down the hill. I was quite happy to go and sit where I did and the rest of it was easy. It could have gone wrong for sure.”

“We're thrilled to win a Group 1 with this horse, he's been so consistent and we've sort of set him aside for this,” said Shadwell's Angus Gold. “I thought Jim gave him a lovely ride and was in a perfect spot throughout. He was too good for them on the day and I think the horse deserved it. He's been incredibly consistent and in the shadow of his little brother, so it was nice to see him win at the top level.”

Reflecting on the performance of runner-up Pyledriver, trainer William Muir said, “He has run a tremendous race. Have we ever made the running, no, but he lobbed away in front so you couldn't make any qualms on that. Turning in, I'm thinking Hukum is cantering and he was better than us today. We've beaten him the last two times and he has beaten us today, there is not a great deal between us. We've run great and Hukum was on his day so well done to Owen. I thought he was lame, but Frankie [Dettori] said he was alright. They were going pretty steady, but I wouldn't make that any excuse because Frankie has dictated his own fractions and we haven't gone very fast. You wanted to be towards the fore and that's where the first two were the whole way round. On the day the other horse had that bit more in the tank than we did. He looked fabulous, the King George has now gone through my mind if he goes home and is really well. He is in the [G2] Hardwicke [at Royal Ascot], but after that and a long break I think we will go to the King George.”

Hukum, the fourth of eight foals and one of three winners from as many runners out of Listed Prix de Liancourt victrix Aghareed (Kingmambo), is a full-brother to last term's G1 Prix du Moulin and G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. victor and this year's G1 Lockinge S. hero Baaeed (GB). He is also kin to the unraced 3-year-old filly Zaghaareed (GB) (Intello {Ger}), the untested 2-year-old colt Naqeeb (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Night of Thunder (Ire). His dam Aghareed is the leading performer for GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and GI Flower Bowl Invitational heroine Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), herself kin to Listed Prix Charles Laffitte victrix Kareemah (Ire) (Peintre Celebre). The April-foaled bay's fourth dam, Listed Cheshire Oaks runner-up Bashayer (Mr. Prospector), is a full-sister the dual stakes-winning Sarayir, herself the dam of three black-type winners headed by G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S. heroine Ghanaati (Giant's Causeway). Bashayer's stakes-placed full-sister Wijdan is the dam of GII New York S. winner Makderah (Ire) (Danehill) and G2 Premio Ribot victrix Oriental Fashion (Ire) (Marju {Ire}). Bashayer, a daughter of MGSW British champion Height of Fashion (Fr) (Bustino {GB}), is also kin to five black-type winners headed by MG1SW sires Nashwan (Blushing Groom {Fr}) and Nayef (Gulch).

Friday, Epsom Downs, Britain
DAHLBURY CORONATION CUP-G1, £445,000, Epsom, 6-3, 4yo/up, 12f 6yT, 2:36.40, gd.
1–HUKUM (IRE), 128, h, 5, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Aghareed (SW-Fr), by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Lahudood (GB), by Singspiel (Ire)
3rd Dam: Rahayeb (GB), by Arazi
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Owen Burrows; J-Jim Crowley. £252,360. Lifetime Record: GSW-UAE, 15-9-1-2, $892,671. *Full to Baaeed (GB), Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 7-9.5f, MG1SW-Eng & G1SW-Fr, $1,539,980. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Pyledriver (GB), 128, h, 5, Harbour Watch (Ire)–La Pyle (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire). (10,000gns RNA Wlg '17 TATFOA). O-La Pyle Partnership; B-Knox & Wells Ltd & R Devlin (GB); T-William Muir & Chris Grassick. £95,675.
3–High Definition (Ire), 128, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Palace (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £47,882.
Margins: 4 1/4, HF, 4 1/4. Odds: 2.75, 2.00, 7.00.
Also Ran: Manobo (Ire), Palavecino (Fr), Living Legend (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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