The Breeders’ Cup Challenge: Win and You’re In visits York’s historic Ebor meeting this week, starting with the £1m Juddmonte International, which offers a guaranteed fees-paid berth in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on November 5
World #1 Baaeed takes his biggest step yet along the path taken by all-time great Frankel a decade ago when he tries a mile and a quarter for the first time in Wednesday’s Juddmonte International.
A ‘Win And You’re In’ race for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland on November 5, the £1 million contest has attracted the high-class field one would expect, with the seven runners including last year’s six-length winner Mishriff, successful previously in the Prix du Jockey Club, Saudi Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic.
Ten years ago there were emotional scenes after Frankel won in devastating style in the presence of his ailing trainer Sir Henry Cecil.
The William Haggas-trained Baaeed claimed top spot on the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary with his victory in the Lockinge Stakes in May. He is not quite in the Frankel league, and nor does he yet have quite the same following – but he is unbeaten in nine races at a mile, the last four of them G1s that his predecessor also won.
Provided he wins again he will bow out in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot in October, just as Frankel did.
A relaxed style of running with push-button acceleration suggests that the longer trip ought to be within range, but the mile-and-a-quarter division is much deeper and the Juddmonte has hosted its share of shocks, including the first-ever defeat of the brilliant Brigadier Gerard 50 years ago. More recently Golden Horn was beaten here for the first time, and by a 50-1 chance in Arabian Queen.
Baaeed will not have it easy if Mishriff returns to York in the same form as last year. Mishriff looked somewhat unlucky when a strong-finishing second in the Coral-Eclipse, and the longer trip looked to stretch him when a slow-starting third in Ascot’s King George last time.
Native Trail has been switched here after stable companion Coroebus was forced to miss the Sussex Stakes and ran instead in Sunday’s Prix Jacques Le Marois. Last year’s champion two-year-old was a good winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas but appeared to be just outstayed when stepped up in distance for the Coral-Eclipse.
Top contenders
Baaeed (William Haggas/Jim Crowley) – unbeaten in nine starts, the last four or them G1, and TRC’s clear world #1; head and shoulders above his contemporaries at a mile, but now meeting stronger opposition over a new distance; bred for 1m2f trip and races economically enough to give himself every chance.
Mishriff (John & Thady Gosden/James Doyle) – wins in Saudi Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic were the main contributors to colossal earnings of nearly £11.5m, but career-best came here 12 months ago, when he hammered Alenquer by six lengths; placed in Coral-Eclipse (arguably unlucky) and King George this year, but yet to reach quite the same heights.
Native Trail (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) – Europe’s top 2yo of 2021 but beaten by stablemate Coroebus in 2000 Guineas; won Irish equivalent at the Curragh, but could finish only third behind Vadeni and Mishriff when first tried at 1m2f in Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, although beaten only half a length.
Alenquer (William Haggas/Tom Marquand) – Baaeed’s stablemate is also a G1 winner this year, beating strong field headed by High Definition over similar distance to this in Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh; no match for Mishriff here a year ago.
Shall we talk about it?
William Haggas, trainer of Baaeed: “I’m looking forward to it. We’ve always felt he’d be better over further, but we’ve got a few people emailing us and casting doubt on whether we should be doing it. But Sheikha Hissa is up for the challenge and I think it would be remiss of us not to give it a go.” (speaking to Great British Racing)
Thady Gosden, co-trainer of Mishriff: “Mishriff seems to be in similar form now as he was when he went to York last year. He ran a huge race in the Eclipse and was perhaps unlucky there. Giving away ground at the start of a race of the King George’s quality is a serious hindrance, but he’s got plenty of speed and the shorter distance is what he’s best at.”
Charlie Appleby, trainer of Native Trail: “Native Trail is in great order. He didn’t not stay in the Eclipse, where he was outstayed by good horses who will probably go on at a mile and a half.”
Aidan O’Brien, trainer of High Definition: “High Definition’s best run in the last couple of years was over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He’s a high tempo horse with a long stride, so we think the track will suit him.” (speaking to Sporting Life)
Graham Dench’s verdict
Baaeed has carried an aura of invincibility through nine races at a mile, but competition is hotter at this distance and if he is ever going to be beaten it will be here, where the great Brigadier Gerard met his only defeat 50 years ago. Native Trail, also top-class at a mile, was less convincing when stepped up in trip in the Coral-Eclipse, where MISHRIFF looked unlucky. Mishriff was devastating here 12 months ago, and this is his ideal trip. If Mishriff is in the same form again, Baaeed will need to be every bit as good at this trip as he is at a mile.
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