IT’S A SAD GOODBAAEE
No final glory for great as Bay lands spoils
BAAEED failed to end his career in a blaze of glory as Ascot turned into a Bridge of Sighs.
Punters made the William Haggas-trained superstar the 1-4 favourite to win QIPCO Champion Stakes and sign off with a perfect record of 11 wins from as many starts.
But the packed stands at the Royal racecourse fell into stunned silence as Jim Crowley’s mount began to toil in the home straight, eventually crossing the line in fourth behind the Sir Michael Stoute-saddled Bay Bridge.
As Baaeed returned to warm but subdued applause, Haggas said: Godolphin trainer’s “It’s sad he didn’t win, but Adayar battled to a halflength that’s the way it is. second – in the
“He’s been a brilliant battle for the trainers’ horse – he didn’t show championship. that today but don’t take Crowley blamed the anything away from him. rain-softened terrain for
“It’s a bit deflating but Baaeed’s defeat. he’s still a good horse. “We turned into the
“I’m sad for him, his straight and, normally connections He’s been a where he and all the brilliant horse but would pick people we he didn’t show up, that kick have at the that today wasn’t there,” yard who he said. have worked tirelessly to “It was heavy weather get him here – and it has but we’ve all seen what he just not happened. can do – it was an
“But there you go – unbelievable journey.” that’s horseracing,” concluded Bay Bridge was having the master of his first outing since Newmarket’s Somerville returning a beaten favourite Lodge stables, now for the Coral-eclipse destined to lose out to Stakes at Sandown Park Charlie Appleby – the 15 weeks earlier. “He came back from Sandown with a knock and we had to back off him,” said Stoute of the Richard Kingscotepartnered winner.
“We thought the favourite was unbeatable – or I did – but I thought he had a great chance of being second.”
Kingscote, who rode Stoute’s Desert Crown to capture the Derby in June, smiled: “Two spectacular horses have made it a great year.”
If predicting the equine star of the £4million seasonal finale proved beyond most punters, the human headline act – Frankie Dettori – delivered as promised.
The Italian returned to
his spiritual home to lift the Group 1 British Champions Sprint aboard Kinross before doubling up aboard Emily Upjohn in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.
Dettori’s campaign has been one of ups and downs, but he reflected: “You can never have a perfect season, but I can’t complain.”
Dettori combined with 11-10 favourite
Inspiral for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but the hotpot lost her chance with a slow start, victory going to Tom Marquand aboard the 33-1 chance Bayside Bridge.
Marquand’s wife Hollie Doyle began the day in what has become a time-honoured style as Trueshan racked up a hat-trick of successes in the British Champions Long Distance Cup.