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Champion Stakes: Bay Bridge spoils party for Baaeed at Ascot

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023

Baaeed was sensationally beaten for the first time on his final career start, as Bay Bridge caused an upset in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Previously unbeaten in 10 starts, William Haggas’ superstar could not produce a challenge when asked by Jim Crowley in the closing stages, failing to involve himself in a late battle between Adayar and Bay Bridge (10-1).

Eventually fourth behind the two aforementioned horses and stablemate My Prospero, the victory so many expected Baaeed (1-4 favourite) to gain went the way of Sir Michael Stoute and Richard Kingscote.

Asked for his reaction, Crowley was in no doubt as to the reason for Baaeed’s reverse.

“The ground, simple as that,” he said. “I turned into the straight and normally where he would pick up, normally he would be able to do it on good to soft, that kick which is normally there just wasn’t there. It was heavy weather really.

“In the past, it has just been instant. It just wasn’t there, simple as that. I pressed the button today and it wasn’t there.

“It’s unbelievable the journey we have been on. He is a very special horse and it is sad that he does not finish his career unbeaten as we have come so far. For me today, it was just sad as that kick I know he has wasn’t there.

“Baaeed has captured the imagination and I’m sorry we couldn’t do it today. He is a special horse still.”

"It's horse racing" - William Haggas speaks to Lydia Hislop after a "deflating" defeat for Baaeed on the star colt's final career start

Haggas said: “It was disappointing, but he’s still a great horse.

“I’m thrilled for Michael, to get that horse back (after disappointing in the Eclipse) was fantastic.

“My other horse (My Prospero) ran a fantastic race. It’s just sad it’s ended like it has.

“He’s been a brilliant horse, he didn’t show that today but don’t take anything away from him, I’m very proud.”

He added: “It’s still deflating, but he is still a good horse. I’m sad he didn’t win for him and his connections, as well as all the people at the yard who have worked tirelessly to get him there. There you go, it’s horse racing.

“Jim felt Baaeed just couldn’t pick up in the ground. I don’t know, I need to watch it again. All I know is he didn’t win.

“I hoped, I was busy watching the others as well. I tend not to make an assessment straight after. That’s the end of him (racing career), I am afraid so.

“I am thrilled for Sir Michael and we have a few horses with James and Anita Wigan. My Prospero couldn’t quite nut Adyar on the line for second so it looks like we’ll have to wait next year until we have a go at the trainers’ championship.”

Baaeed returns to the parade ring after his final career start (Photo: Mark Cranham / focusonracing.com)

Reflecting further, Haggas said: “He has brought untold joy. He is a marvellous horse and a great character. Everyone has loved the journey, obviously my family, but my staff who are so important to the operation. They will be really sad, but they shouldn’t be sad as we have been privileged to have him.

“He is a belter of a horse and I’m just sorry he didn’t show everyone here his best form today. It’s no one’s fault and that is horse racing. There are lots worse things going in the world to worry about apart from a few horses going round a field.

“It has been a great ride.”

Shadwell racing manager Angus Gold said: “Jim just said he could not quicken when he pulled him out on that ground.

“It’s maybe not the greatest surprise, it’s rare, in my experience, for a horse as good as him on good ground to act as well on really soft ground.

“He tried his best, but he just couldn’t pick up like he does on faster ground.

“You can’t be despondent when a horse gives you everything like he does, I’m just disappointed he hasn’t gone out unbeaten – but he’s still given us some fantastic days.

“I wouldn’t take anything away from the winner, or the second, they are two very good older horses.”

Sir Michael Stoute reflects on Champion Stakes glory

Sir Michael Stoute admitted he had thought Baaeed was “unbeatable” ahead of Bay Bridge’s success.

The victory capped a superb year for 76-year-old Stoute and rider Richard Kingscote, who teamed up to land the Derby with Desert Crown in June.

“It was a very brave performance and we are delighted with him,” the Freemason Lodge trainer said.

“He was very brave and I’m absolutely thrilled. The staff have done a great job with this horse and we are all delighted.”

Bay Bridge was beaten into fifth in the Coral-Eclipse when last seen at Sandown, but the good to firm going was an obvious excuse and he was at his best on Ascot’s good to soft turf.

“He was in very good shape, because he came back from Sandown with a knock and we had to back off him. So he has been very consistent this year, with the exception of that race,” said Stoute, a good friend of Baaeed’s trainer with whom he shares a deep love of cricket.

“Obviously, we thought the favourite was unbeatable – I did. I thought he had a great chance of being second because he is in terrific shape – I hope we are still friends.

“I am delighted to have won two Group Ones this year and the staff have been brilliant and it is down to them.

“He has got a great mind. He is an easy horse to train. It has been a great thrill.”

Kingscote said of the victory: “He is a lovely horse and on ground like this he is a beautiful animal. They have always had faith in him and that’s why he won.

“He was enthusiastic and gave me a lovely spin.”

Bay Bridge is owned by James Wigan and Ballylinch Stud, the former having bred the son of New Bay.

Bay Bridge and connections after Champion Stakes triumph (Photo: Dan Abraham / focusonracing.com)

Wigan said: “It is what you aim for as a breeder, to win a race like this.

“It is fantastic. It is only a pity Baaeed got beat, because I think he is a fantastic horse.

“As we said in the week, it is a horse race and anything can happen. Michael was quietly confident. As much as he ever does, he had given us a hint he was very pleased with him.

“He had said he had worked extremely well. I don’t think the Breeders’ Cup or Japan Cup are an option, we are all in agreement there, I don’t think he will run again this year. ”

Co-owner John O’Connor of Ballylinch Stud, added: “We will sit down and have a think and do what’s best for the horse. I think all the horses had a hard race out there today.

“Good horses quickened up and quickened again and when they do that, it takes it out of them.

“My initial thoughts are that he was right back to the day he won the Brigadier Gerard.

“He looked just like that horse. He had a little injury and he is right back to his best now and when he is at his best, he is especially good.

“We will sit down and we’ll have a quiet drink and a long chat with very experienced people and put our heads together.”

Breeders' Cup option for Adayar

Adayar carried the Godolphin blue with distinction in the QIPCO Champion Stakes (Photo: Mark Cranham / focusonracing.com)

Charlie Appleby’s second champion trainer title was all but sealed after Adayar’s second-placed effort in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot.

The Frankel colt, last year’s Derby and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, was overshadowed in the lead up to the race by William Haggas’ unbeaten Baaeed – as indeed were the rest of the field.

Baaeed could not maintain that record and had to settle for fourth place, with Appleby’s runner a valiant second when beaten half a length by Bay Bridge.

“That was a great run, they went steadier than maybe ideal for us on that ground, but our plan was to try to get first run on Baaeed and he’s gone out on his sword,” said the Moulton Paddocks trainer, who also saw Modern Games finish a fine second in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Creative Force take third in the Champions Sprint.

“Take nothing away from the winner, he’s been crying out for this ground all year as we know and that was a great performance.

“Obviously we’ll have discussions about where we go next, we might look at taking him to America for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, he’s getting better with his gate work, he came out well today.

“That would be the only question mark about going there. He’s got no miles on the clock, but he’s had a race today so I don’t want to fall into the trap today of backing him up quickly like I did last year after a layoff.

“At one point when Will (Buick) kicked, similar to when he kicked in the King George, I thought we might be good enough, but it was a great race to watch.”

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