Baaeed’s Perfect Ten! | Sporting Post
Baaeed shone at Knavesmire to maintain his unbeaten record with a dominant performance at the Gr1 Juddmonte International Stakes in York on Wednesday.
Competing with nine wins over a mile, the four-year-old equaled the performance of his father Sea The Stars when he landed feature group one for the first time in his career when he tackled 10 furlongs.
Jim Crowley salutes as Baaeed storms home (Image – Racing TV)
Baaeed was held up by Jim Crowley in the early stages as Ryan Moore set the pace aboard High Definition and his big race pilot was in no rush to push the button aboard the 2-5 favorite.
Crowley continued to keep his powder dry as the field came down the straight, and as defending champion Mishriff made his move and hit the front, the famed Shadwell silk remained motionless, pursuing his prey.
When James Doyle Mishriff pushed another furlong away in the competition, Baaeed was left to slide forward and canter into the distance while extending his record to a perfect 10/10.
“It meant a lot to me and my family” – Winner owner Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum chats to Lydia Hislop about Baaeed’s magnificent win
Haggas said: “It’s a relief more than anything. He’s such a good horse and he proved it today, he showed it to everyone.
“I had a few anxious moments throughout the day but not during the race. The traffic was horrendous, I should have known better.
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“Mishriff is a great horse, he may not have been at his best today, Native Trail (fifth place) may not have run his race but he is a Guineas winner and High Definition has just started in the Tattersalls Gold Cup so hopefully he will get the recognition he deserves.
“He delivered a special performance today. It is very difficult, especially when you have another horse (Dubai Honour, fourth) in the race to try to pick everything up, but to me he looked quite spectacular.”
An overjoyed Jim Crowley greets “very special” Baaeed
Haggas now has his sights set on the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 15 for Baaeed, although some bookies are offering odds of 5-4 for a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe challenge.
He added: “I think the race crowd showed their appreciation today. Everyone loves a good horse and I hope they all come to Ascot too.
“I’ve never had a desire to run at the Arc – unless Sheikha Hissa and Angus (Gold, Race Director) decide they want to go there, it will be Ascot.”
Haggas was fined £140 by the stewards before the race as Baaeed “showed signs of a skin condition” for which the trainer did not have the correct paperwork.
He explained: “Apparently the vet saw some spots on his neck which he thought were ringworm but I can assure you he never had spots when he left the farm and when I went to saddle him I couldn’t see any .
“I just felt it was unnecessary and I hope they don’t think we don’t know what we’re doing. It was probably a heat rash.”