The William Haggas trained Baaeed for Shadwell Estate bounced onto the scene in a major way last term and is now one of the most exciting horses in the sport of flat racing.
The highly rated four year old only started his racecourse career at the start of June last year and has since gone on to win all five of his events in fine style, winning more impressively each time.
Having landed a decent Maiden at Leicester on his debut, Haggas sent him into a Novices' event next time out at Newmarket and went on to bolt up by nearly eight lengths.
Firmly putting himself as a horse to follow, he improved once more to land the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes on the July Course, seeing off smart stars Maximal and One Ruler with ease.
Next time out at Glorious Goodwood he took on his toughest field yet in the Group Three Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes, but once again he took it in his stride and saw off El Drama by close to seven lengths.
All set for a step up to Group One company he went on to make it a perfect 5/5, landing the Prix du Moulin on his first trip to France.
Baaeed rounded off the season at Ascot on Champions Day when taking on the best miler in Europe Palace Pier and in a fight to the finish, the younger horse prevailed.
What a racehorse this is! Baaeed beats Palace Pier in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes sponsored by QIPCO! @JimCrowley1978, William Haggas and @ShadwellStud have a machine on their hands! pic.twitter.com/MViU2jBSy5
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 16, 2021
The colt is one of the big talking horses heading into the 2022 flat season and it looks as though William Haggas has made up his mind where he will start his campaign, with a third Grade One victory in a row in the offing in the Lockinge.
(Credit ATR) “Baaeed hasn’t started fast work yet, but he’s doing well. He’s had a good winter and he’s done lots of conditioning work. He’ll go straight to Newbury. There’s not a chance of him running anywhere first,” said Haggas.
“The plan would be to go to Newbury and then Royal Ascot and then see where we are. I think the interesting thing then is when, if ever, are we going to go up in trip with him. He’s a brother to Hukum and bred to get further, but while he’s so good at a mile there’s no need to.”
Baaeed has shown he handles both good and soft conditions when winning on both surfaces last term and that was a relief to Haggas, especially on British Champions Day.
“There was an element of relief when he won the QEII. We hoped he was up to it and he proved that he was, but I still don’t believe he needs that ground, which was pretty soft in my book,” said the Newmarket handler.
“He’s got some good form on that ground, but if the ground at Newbury came up quick it wouldn’t bother me at all. It will be fine for him, I’m sure.
“Baaeed didn’t start racing until last June, and after just six runs we all hope there’s more to come. You can never be sure, and it’s possible he won’t be as good, but all of the signs are suggesting he might be just as good at four, if not better, so we have to hope that’s the case.”