Baaeed to run in Champion Stakes at Ascot rather than Arc
So it has been decided that Baaeed will run at Ascot in the Champion Stakes rather than travel to France and a bid for glory in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Trainer William Haggas told reporters "After much consultation with Sheikha Hissa and her team we have decided that Baaeed's final start will be in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 15. He was very impressive in the Juddmonte International and it was only right that we explored every option. I, in particular, was keen to keep him to a mile and a quarter, therefore the Champion Stakes was the only logical solution. I understand many will be disappointed he's not running in the Arc but we can't do both and Ascot it will be."I have already backed Adayar each-way at 14-1 for the Champion Stakes of course and remain happy with my bet as that colt is no bigger than 6's now and he is rated only 1lb lower than the odds-on jolly. Last years Derby winner may be the colt to burst the Baaeed bubble come 15th October.
I am one who would liked to have seen him have a go at the Arc, he has little to prove over 8-10 furlongs here in the UK after all. He will go down as a very good horse, he is unbeaten in ten starts with six of those Group One's before his last hoorah in the Champion Stakes. The colt though could have gone down as one of the all time greats had he proved himself over the distances as Sea The Stars did for example winning from 7f as a two-year-old up to 1m4f at three including along the way Guineas, Derby, Juddmonte and Arc!