'We all hope there's more to come' - Haggas nominates first target for Baaeed

William Haggas has warned that unbeaten Baaeed, who was officially rated the world's joint-best miler in 2021, could be even better this season.

The Shadwell-owned colt won six races last year, culminating in Group 1 victories in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Looking ahead to a second campaign with the four-year-old, the trainer said: "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 the signs are suggesting he might be just as good at four, if not better, so we have to hope that's the case."

William Haggas: 'If the going at Newbury came up quick it wouldn't bother me at all'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Baaeed is a brother to Hukum, who won a Meydan Group 2 race at the age of five this month, and Haggas added: "Physically we're very pleased with Baaeed, and Hukum has improved as he's got older."

Haggas has pencilled in the £350,000 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 14 for Baaeed's reappearance.

"He hasn't started fast work yet but he's doing well," Haggas said. "He's had a good winter and has done lots of conditioning work.

"The plan would be to go to Newbury and Royal Ascot and then see where we are. The interesting thing then will be when, if ever, we go up in trip with him. He's bred to get further, but there's no need to while he's so good at a mile.

Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes racecard

"There was an element of relief when he won the QEII. We hoped he was up to it and he proved he was, but I still don't believe he needs that ground, which was pretty soft in my book. He's got some good form on that ground, but if the going at Newbury came up quick it wouldn't bother me at all."

Baaeed is among 18 entries for the Lockinge, the first Group 1 race of the year in Britain for older horses. The list also includes last year's 1,000 Guineas winner Mother Earth and Alcohol Free, who took the Coronation and Sussex Stakes.

Haggas has also entered Balmoral Handicap winner Aldaary and said: "He's a good horse on heavy ground and a straight track suits him very well.

"Just occasionally it's been very soft for the Lockinge, and if that's the case Aldaary will be in there pitching too."

Read these next:

Five star: brilliant Baaeed makes Group 1 breakthrough in Prix du Moulin

'He's just a beast' – Baaeed holds off Palace Pier in epic QEII battle

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