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The perfect racehorse hailed as the best since Frankel

Baaeed has become the toast of handicappers and racing experts after demolishing his opposition in the Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday.

Shadwell’s homebred son of Sea The Stars, also a full-brother to fellow Group 1 winner Hukum from the treasured family of Height Of Fashion, made it ten victories from as many starts in the prestigious race by beating last year’s easy winner Mishriff by a stunning six and a half lengths.

Timeform have given Baaeed a provisional rating of 137, making him the highest-rated horse in Europe since the unbeaten dual world champion Frankel.

The respected organisation’s Flat Editor David Johnson said: “The Juddmonte International has proven more of a king-making race than any other in Britain since the turn of the century, with no fewer than 11 horses breaking the 130 barrier that Timeform believe to be that of a top-class racehorse.

“However, few have shown themselves capable of what Baaeed did on his first start at beyond a mile in beating last year’s winner Mishriff by six and a half lengths.”

The Racing Post gave Baaeed a rating of 138 for the thrilling performance, which is the joint-second best RPR for a turf horse in the newspaper’s history.

The Racing Post’s Paul Curtis said: “Baaeed took his form to a new level with his sensational performance in the Juddmonte International, the step up in trip proving the key to unlocking the sort of performance he’d hinted at over a mile with the world’s best racehorse returning a mighty RPR of 138.

“This performance ranks him alongside the best behind Frankel (143) as he joins his sire Sea The Stars and Daylami on 138 as the second-best turf horses in RPR history. In the context of the Juddmonte International, his figure also rates the best bar Frankel, ahead of previous top winners Sakhee (135, 2001) and Royal Anthem (134, 1999).”

Baaeed’s trainer William Haggas said after the race: “It’s rarely you see in a high-class race a horse appear on the bridle with two to run looking like he could go at any time. He’s just good, isn’t he? It was a spectacular performance and I’m glad now that everyone will believe in him. We think he’s fantastic and we have thought so for some time.”

But perhaps Shadwell’s retained rider Jim Crowley, who has now partnered the colt to six Group 1 successes, summed it up best when he said: “He’s the perfect racehorse.”