Maltese Cross has major targets for next season
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Mon 12 Oct 2026
William Haggas says he will “not be shy of taking on anyone” with Maltese Cross next season, with the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes and a second crack at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on the agenda.
The Newmarket trainer retains total faith in the imposing son of Sea The Stars, despite his first attempt in the Paris feature seeing him finish sixth, beaten three and three-quarters of a length behind Daryz.
With Maltese Cross now finished for the year, Haggas is already looking to his 2027 campaign and has all the top mile-and-a-half races in his sights.
“He probably just wasn’t good enough on the day anyway, but he ran a solid race considering things did not go his way and I have every hope he will have a good season next year,” Haggas said of his ParisLongchamp performance.
“He will have a nice break and we will plot a campaign accordingly, but we will be not be shy of taking on anyone who wants to, and of course we would look at the Arc again. He is a mile-and-a-half horse and it’s a mile-and-a-half race and he will hopefully be a bit stronger.
“We would love to have a go at the King George, the obvious races for him are Hardwicke, King George and then decide where we go from there.”
Pictured winning the Great Voltigeur at York, Maltese Cross finished sixth in the Arc after a campaign which also saw him land the Grand Prix de Paris and finish second in the Derby.
Overall it has been an excellent three-year-old campaign for Maltese Cross, winning the Lingfield Derby Trial, the Grand Prix de Paris and the Great Voltigeur, as well as filling the runner-up spot behind Christmas Day in the Derby.
And while he came up short on his final outing on the Bois de Boulogne, Haggas has resisted the temptation to thumb through the big book of excuses to explain away defeat, despite him being done no favours by a draw which put him in stall 11.
“I don’t think he was unlucky in the Arc. I just think the winner was way too good. He actually got in a good position and did very well to the bend, but I just think they went too slowly,” the Newmarket handler continued.
“He got very upset beforehand which was out of character and that was the disappointing thing for us. He was very calm in the pre-paddock but the hullabaloo and the buzz in the parade ring seemed to get too much for him.
“In the race he was in behind a Japanese horse who didn’t go very fast and he was always having to take off his heels, which didn’t suit him.”
Meanwhile, Haggas is hoping Andrew Balding has things fall his way in the battle for this season’s trainers’ championship, with the Kingsclere handler heading into Qatar Racing British Champions Day at Ascot with a slender lead over Aidan O’Brien.
While Haggas has nothing but respect for the master of Ballydoyle, he feels it would be “refreshing” should Balding get his hands on the trophy for the first time.
“Andrew has had an absolutely fantastic season, and this is meant as no disrespect to Aidan and everyone at Ballydoyle, but most of us would like to see him win,” Haggas said.
“Aidan is very dangerous and it is on his radar, so Saturday will be very challenging for both of them, but hopefully Andrew will pull it off.
“It is very refreshing there is a challenger that is essentially not a powerhouse like Godolphin or Coolmore. John Gosden has done it a few times, but Andrew never has and I think it would be absolutely fantastic if they could pull it off.”
Related posts
James Willoughby shares an "exciting" 25-1 tip for the 2000 Guineas
RaceiQ: How Darkness Falls beat the odds in Dewhurst
Final Demand disqualified from second place in Brown Advisory
Mark Rowntree's Monday tips: "she's expected to hit the target"
Harry Derham 2026-27 Jumps Season Stable Tour
Todays top offer
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav with BOYLE Sports
T&Cs Apply
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.
Claim Now
Featured offers
Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.
Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware
Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
18+. GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card or instant banking transfer deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg for 4x £10 Free Bets (can be used on Racing Bet Builder). Claim within 30 days. Valid for Horse Racing only. Geographical restrictions and Further T&C’s apply
Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved