Haggas uncertain on future plans for Economics

William Haggas is unsure what the future holds for Economics after he finished down the field on his belated return to action in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

The Night Of Thunder colt enjoyed an excellent three-year-old campaign, with a scintillating Dante success followed by a Group Two win in France and a Group One breakthrough in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

However, he was found to have bled from the nose when sixth in last season’s Champion Stakes and following 12 months off the track, he could only finish eighth in this year’s renewal.

The stewards’ report after Saturday’s race said: “Following the race, the veterinary officer reported that Economics, unplaced, had bled from the nose.”

Haggas had previously raised the possibility of Economics competing in Bahrain during the winter, but all plans are now on hold pending discussions with owner Isa Salman Al Khalifa.

Speaking on Racing TV’s Luck on Sunday programme, Haggas said: “It was a hard ask for him and it was probably my fault for throwing him in the deep end, but I’ve been very happy with him and his condition was good.

“He was just a bit fresh beforehand and in the race at the beginning and he stayed on OK.

“We had a momentous season last year really and to win the Bahrain (sponsored) Champion Stakes in Ireland was absolutely fantastic, so we had a golden moment.

“He’s a seriously good horse, he really is, and we were so lucky to have him and he came from nowhere as a two-year-old, he just looked like a big, backward horse and then he really sprouted wings.

“We have a terrific team and everyone put their heart and soul into him. It took a long time and a lot of patient effort from everyone.

“He’s a really good horse and I don’t think you’ve seen the best of him either.”

On what is next on the agenda for Economics, the trainer added: “We’ll see. I haven’t spoken to His Highness Sheikh Isa at length at all, just briefly.

“He couldn’t make it yesterday. I will be talking to him in the next few days and we’ll make a plan thereafter.”