‘I know it’s soft, but he won’t be around next year’ – William Haggas preparing for life without superstar Baaeed

WILLIAM HAGGAS admits it is ‘soft’, but he knows he must preparing for life without the unstoppable Baaeed.

Undefeated in eight races and the best in the world over a mile, the superstar four-year-old will run at Goodwood next week.

Already a best-price 2-5 for the Sussex Stakes, that Group 1 will be used as a stepping stone to the Juddmonte at York.

There, at the Ebor meeting, the Shadwell-owned sensation will go beyond a mile for the first time.

It is testament to his ability that he is already the 11-8 favourite for that race.

But he can expect to take on the likes of Mishriff and Desert Crown in the August blockbuster.

Comparisons between Baaeed and Frankel have been thick and fast and, with three races of his career remaining, Haggas seems at last willing to concede their is a bit of the best ever in his current yard hero.

Baaeed’s final race looks like being the Qipco Champion Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot in October.

That’s the same race where Frankel finished his career with a perfect 14-0 record.

Victory in all three of his remaining tasks would be the perfect way to bow out.

But the sadness of seeing a once-in-a-lifetime horse depart his yard has already had an impact on Haggas.

He said: “We’re just starting to say to ourselves in the yard that we must start to prepare for life after Baaeed.

“I know it sounds soft, but he’s not going to be around next year for us to enjoy and to find another one is not going to be easy.”

Speaking of the near future for Baaeed, Haggas, 61, said: “I don’t think Baaeed has much to prove but his pedigree smacks of further.

“He relaxes so well, he has a great mind, and I would love to see him over further at York in Juddmonte International.

“I remember so vividly when Frankel won that race, it was like a piece of work for him.

“Anyone who was there, it made your hairs stand up because he was imperious.

“I hope that Baaeed would be able to travel as strongly and then be able to use his turn of foot. I am very keen to have a go.”

FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org