From Leicester maiden to international superstar: how Baaeed became the best

Already ranked the world's best racehorse this year, Baaeed's devastating victory in York's Juddmonte International elevated him into the company of such greats as Frankel and his father Sea The Stars.

Coming little more than 14 months after his debut success at Leicester, it has been a rapid rise to the top. This is how he did it.

The debut

EBF Maiden Stakes, Leicester (June 7, 2021)

Not having been seen as two-year-old, Baaeed was 6-1 for his racecourse debut on a Monday afternoon at Leicester in a 14-runner mile maiden, three times bigger in the betting than the next longest price in his career.

Baaeed was last to break under Dane O'Neill but made up ground quickly, looking a smooth traveller. Although Baaeed had to be driven along in tenth at the three-furlong pole, he displayed an impressive turn of foot to scoop up the modest £4,886.99 prize.

The length-and-a-quarter victory was the first time O'Neill had sat on Baaeed with the jockey saying: "William [Haggas] likes him and his work had been good. He's from a family that has done Shadwell proud in the past and has a nice way about him."

Racing Post's in-running comment:

Slowly away, towards rear of midfield, pushed along under 3f out, ridden and still plenty to do over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, led towards finish, cosily

I was there . . .

By Jack Haynes, reporter

I would like to say I left Leicester on June 7 last year thinking I had seen the world's next best horse in the making. That would be an almighty fib, sadly.

Baaeed, who looked a particularly well-built colt in the winner's enclosure, did make an impression on me, however, and thankfully – to spare my own blushes – I did afford the debut winner a three-par mention in my report. Phew!

The superstar-to-be was slowly away from a wide draw and had plenty to do in the home straight but finished to great effect to win pretty cosily.

I remember speaking to jockey Dane O'Neill after his interview on Racing TV, who despite having not ridden Baaeed at home before his debut, left me in no doubt he was held in high regard by the Haggas team.

Our analyst Andrew Sheret wrote: "It's not stretching it to say he's a smart prospect." He was right there.

Establishing himself

EBF Novice Stakes, Newmarket (June 19, 2021)

With most of the racing public's attention on the final day of Royal Ascot, Baaeed delivered a hugely impressive performance on his first race at Newmarket.

Jim Crowley was in action for Shadwell at the royal meeting, failing to land a blow on four rides while O'Neill helped Baaeed justify 4-6 favouritism in the mile novice, just 12 days after his debut success.

Baaeed pulled seven and a half lengths clear of a last-time-out Godolphin winner Komachi causing commentator Tony Ennis to exclaim: "This is impressive, this is Baaeed, look at him go. He looks some prospect."

While commentators were still having a difference of opinion over the pronunciation of the unusually named son of Sea The Stars, this prediction from Ennis would prove to be bang on.

The in-running comment:

Midfield, headway halfway, switched right 2f out, pushed along to challenge over 1f out, soon led, ridden and quickened clear inside final furlong, eased towards finish, impressive

Looking Group 1 class already

Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes, Newmarket (July 8, 2021)

Baaeed returned to the July course as he stepped up in grade for the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes on the opening day of the track's July meeting.

Baaeed: won the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

Again the odds-on favourite with Shadwell's retained rider Crowley on board for the first time, Baaeed excelled on his first taste of a major Flat meeting, coming from last-to-first to pull four lengths clear of a small but decent field.

Moments after Baaeed crossed the line, Nick Luck proclaimed to Racing TV viewers: "It might only have been Listed status but Baaeed has produced something approximating a top-level Group 1 performance."

People were starting to take notice and wonder where next for the brother of Hukum, who himself won the Group 3 John Smith's Silver Cup just two days after Baaeed's brilliant win.

The in-running comment:

Dwelt start, took keen hold, held up in last but in touch with leaders, smooth headway over 2f out, led and cruising over 1f out, shaken up and quickened clear inside final furlong, ridden briefly final 110yds, eased towards finish, impressive

'This could be a superstar'

Group 3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes, Goodwood (July 30, 2021)

"This could be a superstar; Baaeed has destroyed them," was the call from Simon Holt as Baaeed made a winning first appearance in Group company at Glorious Goodwood.

There were six and a half lengths back to the 114-rated second El Drama as Baaeed racked up his fourth win from as many starts less than two months after making his debut.

Baaeed storms to glory at Goodwood to record a first Group-race winCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

William Haggas revealed afterwards he had considered supplementing Baaeed for the Sussex Stakes staged two days earlier, with Baaeed still unraced when entries for that Group 1 had closed.

However, the Group 3 Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes option was taken on what would prove to be his last start outside Group 1 company. Baaeed earned himself a mark of 119 for his Goodwood rout, 15lb up from his Listed-race rating.

The in-running comment:

Held up in rear, smooth headway on outer from over 2f out, led and shaken up over 1f out, soon went clear, pushed out, impressive

Fantastic in France

Group 1 Prix du Moulin, Longchamp (September 5, 2021)

Baaeed faced his toughest test to date as he took on three Group 1 winners, a Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1-placed Lope Y Fernandez for his first start outside Britain.

Despite being his first tilt at a top-level contest, confidence in Baaeed was strong as he was 1-2 favourite for the Prix du Moulin. Baaeed extended his unbeaten run with a length-and-a-quarter victory over Order Of Australia after which assistant trainer Maureen Haggas indicated the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot was the "obvious target" for Baaeed's final start as a three-year-old.

Given his unblemished record, the retirement question was starting to be thrown around with the trainer saying: "It would be nice if he stayed in training next year, but that's up to Sheikha Hissa and Angus [Gold, Shadwell racing manager]. We'd love to have him."

The in-running comment:

Raced in third, shaken up over 2f out, ran on to go second 1½f out, led over 1f out, kicked clear final 100yds, driven out

Epic Champions Day duel

Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Ascot (October 16, 2021)

Baaeed did indeed line up in the QEII with the 125-rated Palace Pier a serious threat to the Shadwell colt's unbeaten record.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old's only defeat in ten starts had come in the same race the previous year and the older horse was made 6-4 favourite to topple Baaeed.

Jim Crowley celebrates win number six for Baaeed at AscotCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

It was the first and only other occasion since his debut that Baaeed was not favourite, with Palace Pier coming the closest of any losing horse when going down by a neck in a thrilling finish.

After ending his season in style with successive Group 1 wins Crowley said: "Baaeed is just a beast and he keeps on getting better."

The in-running comment:

Took keen hold, in touch with leaders on outer, midfield after 2f, good headway from over 2f out, ridden and led narrowly over 1f out, kept on well

Back with a bang

Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, Newbury (May 14, 2022)

After a 210-day break, Baaeed displayed no signs of rustiness as he made a winning seasonal reappearance in the Lockinge, beating Real World by three and a quarter lengths.

Awarded a rating of 125, Haggas refused to be drawn into brash statements about Baaeed, saying: "I wouldn't go as far to say Baaeed is the best horse in the world – it's not the sort of thing I'd say."

However, the trainer did tout the Juddmonte International as the race in which Baaeed could step up in distance to the excitement of racing fans already making comparisons with the path taken by the legendary Frankel in his four-year-old season.

The in-running comment:

Tracked leaders, smooth headway 2f out, shaken up and led over 1f out, soon quickened clear, ridden briefly final 110yds, kept on strongly, easily

A royal procession

Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes, Royal Ascot (June 14, 2022)

Baaeed kicked off this year's Royal Ascot meeting by extending his unbeaten run to eight in the Queen Anne Stakes.

Beating Real World once more, Baaeed won as a 1-6 favourite should with Crowley describing the sensation as "like clockwork". Haggas again cited York as a likely destination for the "beast".

The in-running comment:

In touch with leaders, going easily when groups merged over 2f out, shaken up to lead under 2f out, pushed along and went clear from over 1f out, comfortably

Baaeed begins Royal Ascot 2022 with a win in the Queen AnneCredit: Alex Livesey (Getty Images)

Simply unbeatable

Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes, Goodwood (27 July, 2022)

Twelve months and four Group 1 wins on, Baaeed returned to Glorious Goodwood in the race for which Haggas had considered supplementing him as a three-year-old.

Just as he did at Ascot, Baaeed won by nearly two lengths at 1-6, although some spectators were a little underwhelmed by the performance, likening it to his sire Sea The Stars for doing just enough in races.

But Crowley said: "The feeling I got from him between the three and the two [furlongs], no horse can give you that sort of feel. He's got everything." Baaeed's rating rose to 128 after his fifth Group 1 win in a row.

The in-running comment:

Held up in rear, headway on outer from 2f out, pushed along and quickened over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, comfortably

'The perfect racehorse' steps into the unknown

Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes, York (August 17, 2022)

Tackling more than a mile for the first time, Baaeed delivered and then some, producing a career-best Racing Post Rating of 138, a feat bettered only by Frankel in the same race a decade earlier.

Shadwell's superstar oozed up on the bridle and stormed past last year's winner Mishriff, going increasingly clear to win by six and a half lengths in one of the most memorable performances on a racecourse in years.

"He's got everything; he's the perfect racehorse," said Crowley. "I'm not joking here – he'd win a July Cup [six furlongs] and all the way up to a mile and a half. He has everything. He's as good as the greats."

The in-running comment:

Travelled strongly, towards rear, headway going easily from over 3f out, went second over 2f out, pushed along and quickened to lead over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, impressive

Read more on Baaeed:

William Haggas reveals the Arc and Irish Champion will be considered for Baaeed

Brilliant Baaeed: where will he run next and who are his potential opponents?

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