“Strong chance” superstar Baaeed will put unbeaten record on line in £5 million Arc says his trainer William Haggas
WILLIAM HAGGAS has said there is a “strong chance” his superstar Baaeed could run in the Arc.
His horse of a lifetime is ten from ten so far and would go down as one of the all time greats if he made it 11 in France.
Ever since his jaw-dropping Juddmonte International win, speculation has been rife at the route Baaeed would take before retiring at the end of the season.
But his trainer has made the biggest hint yet that his team could stump up the £100,000 fee to supplement Baaeed for the big race.
Originally Haggas had ruled the race out and stated Baaeed would end his career at Ascot in October.
But the Newmarket maestro has changed his tune.
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He said: “Baaeed has been in great form since York and everyone is happy with his wellbeing.
“Having had long discussions with Sheikha Hissa, Angus Gold and Richard Hills we have come to the conclusion that he will have one more race this season.
“That will not sadly be in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes but will be either in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or the Qipco Champion Stakes.
“A decision will be made nearer the time. He’s not in the Arc so would need to be supplemented but we are not keen to run him on bad ground in Paris, so if the ground is nice there is a strong chance he’ll run there.
“Otherwise he’ll wait for the Champion Stakes and run there.”
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Baaeed has been shortened to 7-4 favourite for the huge Group 1 at Longchamp on October 1.
Alpinista remained the second favourite at 6-1 with Japanese superstar Titleholder the same price.
Ladbrokes reported a number of bets for Baaeed in the wake of the news.
Their Nicola McGeady said: “We have reintroduced Baaeed to the head of the Arc betting after William Haggas ruled him out of the Irish Champion Stakes.
“He will need to be supplemented for the race, but with the star colt’s target narrowed further, we have seen a spike in bets for the French showpiece.”
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