GB: If Baaeed confirms his status as the best horse in the world on turf by winning the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday [Oct 15], at least some of the credit will belong to the British royal family – and the late Queen Elizabeth II in particular.
The outstanding bloodline from which the late Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum produced Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s world #1 can be traced back to the filly and broodmare Feola, who was purchased for King George V in 1934 and passed onto Queen Elizabeth when she inherited the Royal Studs.
Feola was originally bought by General ‘Mouse’ Davis on behalf of King George V, who died in January 1936. Due to succession matters concerning the abdication of Prince Edward, Feola raced as a three-year-old in the colours of Lord Derby.
She was a high-class racemare, finishing second in the 1000 Guineas and third in the Oaks. Eventually, the Royal Studs were passed on to the late king’s second son, by now King George VI.
Feola became a hugely influential broodmare producing, amongst others, Hypericum, who won the 1000 Guineas in 1946 and also finished fourth in the Oaks. When King George VI died, the Royal Studs went to Queen Elizabeth II.
Hypericum’s daughter, Highlight, won twice over a mile and a half for the monarch in 1961 before being retired to stud. Her daughter Highclere, successful at Newbury as a two-year-old, went on to great things the following year, winning the 1000 Guineas and the Prix de Diane, also finishing second to Dahlia in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.
Highclere’s daughter, Height Of Fashion, was a top-class two-year-old, winning her first three starts, the Acomb Stakes, the May Hill Stakes and the Fillies’ Mile.
After her three-year-old career had concluded, she was sold to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and from then on, this particular bloodline has carried his royal blue and white silks, still in use today despite his passing in March 2021.
Now under ‘new management’, Height Of Fashion continued the outstanding success of her female forebears. Nashwan, Nayef and Unfuwain were amongst several fine horses she produced.
One of the trio’s half-sisters Bashayer is Baaeed’s fourth dam. Baaeed’s great-grandam is Rahayeb, his grandam is the 2007 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Lahudood and his dam is Aghareed.
• Visit the Qipco British Champions Series website
Baaeed’s six steps to Group 1 greatness – according to Jim Crowley
Sydney vs Melbourne – but are both sides winning in Australian racing’s Civil War?
View the latest TRC Global Rankings for horses / jockeys / trainers / sire