Owen Burrows adopting measured approach with regally-bred Raaheeb

Owen Burrows is keen to take the patient approach with the exciting Raaheeb, as he identified Newmarket’s Emirates Autumn Stakes as the ideal spot to continue the regally-bred youngster’s education.

Owned by Shadwell, he is a full-brother to their high-class Group One stars Hukum and Baaeed, and looked well capable of upholding family honour when making a winning debut at Ascot earlier in the month.

It was a performance that slightly caught his trainer by surprise, with the man who guided Hukum to 11 career victories regarding his charge as next year’s horse.

Understandably delighted with what he witnessed on debut, Burrows removed Raaheeb from the Royal Lodge Stakes equation to resist the temptation for a swift move up in grade. However, he is not against trying deeper waters on the Rowley Mile before the season is out.

“He’s a big, raw horse who doesn’t know he’s born yet,” explained Burrows.

“I actually took him out of the Royal Lodge as we just felt if you left him in you might get tempted, but we will look at the Autumn Stakes with him if the signs are right at home.

“We’ll only run once more this season and Jim (Crowley) said whatever he does this year is just going to be a bonus, so we won’t get overly excited just yet as he’s next year’s horse and beyond.

“I thought it was very encouraging he could do that on a first start as I thought he might lack a bit of nous, but he did it really well.”

Raaheeb is a general 25-1 chance for both the 2000 Guineas and Derby next year, and Burrows added: “Touch wood, he’s in the Hukum mould and if he’s like him I wouldn’t mind at all. It would do me, even if he’s not the next Baaeed!”