Having been billed as the best racehorse in Europe on the flat, big things were expected from Baaeed as he made his debut at Royal Ascot in June.
And the William Haggas-trained four-year-old did not disappoint, prevailing in the Queen Anne Stakes after taking command of the race in the latter stages.
A heavy odds-on favorite, Baaeed simply lived up to expectations – but confirmed his superiority over one mile by extending his unbeaten run to seven while adding a fourth Group One title to his collection.
BAAEED, what a horse! ????
Baaeed comfortable wins the Queen Anne Stakes, to open #RoyalAscot. ???? pic.twitter.com/qhAkiGIwEI
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 14, 2022
Unsurprisingly, punters are falling over themselves to back this ‘wonder horse’, and he is likely to be added to the horse race betting odds for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 2 and Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 27.
An inspection of the Paddy Power horse racing results confirms that Baaeed is simply unbeatable at the moment, and the fear for rival trainers and owners is that he does the business in all types of conditions too.
His win at Royal Ascot came on super-fast, good-going ground owing to the warm and dry weather that the UK has enjoyed so far this summer, and that was the case when he won the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury by a comfortable three-length margin back in May.
But even a bit of rain is not enough to put off the four-year-old, who has picked up wins in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the Prix Moulin at Longchamp on soft and yielding ground.
So what’s next for Baaeed… and can anybody stop him?
The World Is Not Enough
Having been handed a rating of 134, the current best mark in Europe, it’s clear that the ambitions of Baaeed’s connections will extend beyond pure domination in the UK.
Runs in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown and Sussex Stakes are likely to confirm his position as the best in the business on domestic soil, and that will leave his Shadwell Estate owners with some decisions to make on whether they target world domination.
They would love to have a crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, you suspect, but that would require a step up in trip – whether that’s on the agenda remains to be seen.
It was interesting that Baaeed won the Queen Anne without jockey Jim Crowley having to use his whip at any point – that confirms how well he was traveling, and perhaps is an indicator that there is an extra furlong or two in the tank yet.
“It doesn’t get any easier than that,” Crowley said. “I just let him stretch out for the last furlong. It was just the perfect race, really.”
He also confirmed his belief that he doesn’t “see ten furlongs being a problem”, and that could lead to eventual runs in prestigious overseas races like the Dubai World Cup or the Breeders’ Cup.
It’s the @JuddmonteFarms International Stakes @yorkracecourse on Wednesday.
Where did you watch the majestic Frankel cruise home seven years ago? ????????#ClassicEbor pic.twitter.com/JfS8w5Z7ry
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 20, 2019
But, first things first, Baaeed will be tested at a longer distance on UK soil. The International Stakes at York is where the irrepressible Frankel, a horse with whom Baaeed has been compared, made his first step up in trip during his remarkable career.
And that could be a marker for where the career of this outstanding horse heads in the next year or so.
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