Nine runs, nine wins. There seems to be no way on earth of stopping the brilliant Baaeed! The four-year-old son of Sea The Stars is aiming to hit double figures in today’s prestigious Juddmonte International Stakes on the opening day of York’s Ebor Festival.
His latest prize was the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood three weeks ago after having already triumphed at Royal Ascot’s Queen Anne Stakes and the Lockinge at Newbury this season.
Jim Crowley takes the ride as he has done ever since victory number three. The only unfamiliarity for Baaeed will be an extra 2 ½ furlongs to contend with as all his previous races have been run over a mile.
Trainer William Haggas has stated his confidence that Baaeed can manage the distance and Betfred agree with him, making him the 1.40 clear favourite.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: August 17, 8:00 A.M (BST)
Attempting to earn the coveted title of “first horse to beat Baaeed” is last year’s winner of the Juddmonte; Mishriff, who won impressively by six lengths twelve months ago.
David Egan was on board that day, but it’s James Doyle in the saddle today. Doyle rode Mishriff for the first time at Ascot last month where they got off to a poor start and finished a distant third in the King George & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. A repeat performance today won’t be good enough to challenge Baaeed.
Clearly a fan of the course, John & Thady Gosden’s five-year-old is the second favourite with Betfred priced at 4.50.
The only other horse with half a chance – if you’re to believe the bookies – is Native Trail, at 8.50.
Carrying 9 stone 1, seven pounds fewer than the two ahead of him in the market, Native Trail has only once finished outside the top two in any of his eight runs. That, however, was last time out in the Group 1 Coral Eclipse at Sandown.
The three-year-old has had plenty of success at the highest level winning Group 1 outings at The Curragh and Newmarket, including in the Irish 2000 Guineas in May. William Buick is on board as he has been for all previous races.
The field is made up by three outsiders. William Haggas also has Dubai Honour who has drifted to 41.00 where you’ll also find High Definition who has gone 23 months without a victory.
Sir Busker, ridden by Ben Curtis, is at 67.00 but did win the Group 2 York Stakes at this course last month in beating Dubai Honour.
