Thursday 18 August 2022
Brilliant SEA THE STARS four-year-old Baaeed has been scintillating to watch over a mile both this year and last, but yesterday proved a step up to 10.5 furlongs was no problem with a dominating six-and-a-half-length victory over Mishriff in the Gr.1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York. In doing so, the unbeaten Shadwell homebred – currently rated the best horses in the world - achieved a perfect 10 wins from 10 starts.
Baaeed has since been awarded a Timeform rating of 137 – edging him closer to SEA THE STARS himself (140) who had won the same race at the age of three.
His trainer William Haggas commented: “It's a relief more than anything. He's such a good horse and he proved it and showed everyone today and that's what was so satisfying.
"That was pretty spectacular. Aren't we just so lucky? I said to Jim (Crowley, jockey) before the Sussex, 'We've got to enjoy this horse, because this time next year when we're watching something else win the Juddmonte we'll be dreaming'.
"It's rarely you see in a high-class race a horse appear on the bridle with two to run looking like he could go at any time. He's just good, isn't he? It was a spectacular performance and I'm glad now that everyone will believe in him. We think he's fantastic and we have thought so for some time.
"Sure I've been slow to get him up in trip but he's been so dominant at a mile. This was the perfect opportunity, he clearly stays it well, he's just got a fabulous engine and a fabulous temperament.”
Baaeed was one of five Stakes winners for his sire SEA THE STARS during the same week. The siblings Deauville Legend and Sea La Rosa, both bred by Guy Heald, won the Gr.2 Great Voltigeur Stakes and Gr.2 Prix de Pomone respectively. Later that week, the progressive three-year-old River Of Stars prevailed in the Listed Chester Stakes while promising two-year-old Flying Honours landed the Listed Stonehenge Stakes by more than five lengths for owner-breeder Godolphin.
Siyouni also enjoyed his share of success with the two-year-old Treasure Trove who took the Listed Julia Graves Roses Stakes. Owned and bred by Merry Fox Stud, this progressive colt had been placed twice at Stakes level and he came from the back of the field to win with ease at York on Saturday.
