In review: Baaeed’s amazing season

Baaeed, jockey Jim Crowley and trainer William Haggas have had a sensational season together this year — which was actually the horse’s maiden campaign! The season concluded with a victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot’s prestigious British Champions Day early this month — crowning the three-year-old the best one miler in the country ahead of the likes of John Gosden’s five-time Group 1 winner Palace Pier and The Revenant, who was attempting to defend his Champion Mile crown.

The curtain may have only just been drawn on the 2021 flat racing season, but there are already high hopes for the three-year-old’s future, with Crowley even claiming that he thinks Baaeed could go on to be a world champion. With a 100% record from his six races to date, it is hard to argue against the jockey and it’s fair to say that Baaeed will be at the forefront of the top one-mile markets on the best horse racing betting sitesnext season.

So, with a lot of anticipation already building ahead of Baaeed’s second season on the track, let’s take a look back at some of his biggest victories from this year. Read on to find out more!

Sir Henry Cecil Stakes (Listed Race) – Newmarket

After winning a Maiden Stakes at Leicester and a Novice Stakes at Newmarket in his first two outings with Dane O’Neill in the saddle, Jim Crowley took the reins and the good form continued — starting with a victory in the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes at the Newmarket July Festival. It was an impressive run from the 10/11 favourite, who started making headway two furlongs out before going out in front and cruising a furlong later. Despite easing towards the finish, Baaeed still won by a comfortable four lengths clear of Maximal.

Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3) – Goodwood

There was a first victory at Group level for the three-year-old in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Once again set off as the odds-on favourite at 2/5, Baaeed led over one furlong out and went clear when pushed on by Buick in the closing stages to beat the Roger Varian-trained El Drama by a massive six and a half lengths.

Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Group 1) – Longchamp

Following the Group 3 win at Goodwood, Baaeed was sent to France for the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp and he picked up his first Group 1 victory in Paris. Raced along in third, the Haggas-trained horse started to challenge the leaders when shaken up two furlongs out and he gained the lead with a furlong to spare before kicking clear in the final 100 yards to win by a length and a quarter clear of Order Of Australia.

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1) – Ascot

Baaeed had to dig deep to grind out his biggest victory to date in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at British Champions Day. Less fancied than Palace Pier, this year’s Queen Anne winner at Royal Ascot, Baaeed started to make good headway two furlongs out and had gained a narrow lead a furlong later, keeping on well to hold off the late press from Palace Pier, who now looks set to head to stud, and win by a length.

“I think Baaeed could be a world champion. He’s just a beast, he keeps getting better,” Crowley said afterwards. “It was magical. I think people forget he’s come such a long way in a short space of time. It’s a great buzz to ride a horse that good.”