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“This is a fantastic day for Sheikha Hissa, her family, Shadwell and for Nunnery Stud – it’s very exciting for us all."

BAAEED left his trainer William Haggas yesterday and arrived at Nunnery Stud in Norfolk where he will headline Shadwell’s stallion roster for 2023.

Shadwell’s European bloodstock manager Stephen Collins and racing manager Angus Gold were at Somerville Lodge to watch on as Baaeed’s groom Ricky Hall led the superstar colt onto the horsebox where stallion manager Mark Dean was waiting to oversee the 30-minute journey to Nunnery Stud.

Baaeed’s jockey Jim Crowley, along with Richard Hills and Michael Hills were also among the group of assembled connections as 2022’s highest-rated turf horse in the world prepared for the next chapter in his storied career.

Collins said: “This is a fantastic day for Sheikha Hissa, her family, Shadwell and for Nunnery Stud – it’s very exciting for us all. It’s a wonderful testament to Sheikh Hamdan’s legacy, bearing in mind that this story began nearly 40 years ago when he bought Height of Fashion and here we are today with the arrival of Baaeed, who’s a direct descendant of the mare.

“It’s important to thank William and everyone at Somerville Lodge for the superb job that they did with Baaeed. The team at Nunnery Stud will now look to continue that excellent work preparing the horse for his new career as a stallion.

“We’ve just been overwhelmed with interest in Baaeed from breeders from all over Europe and beyond, including America and Japan. I have no doubt he will be heavily oversubscribed for his first season. He ticks all the boxes. He was a magnificent racehorse, has a great pedigree, poise and athleticism. When you have a package like that, you’d very confident this is a horse that could serve us well for many years.”

Baaeed won 10 races, including six Group 1s, under the care of William Haggas and his team who gave their stable star a round of applause as he left the yard for the final time.

Haggas said: “It’s tinged with sadness, but it’s exciting to think that one day sons and daughters of Baaeed might come back here. He has been very sound, has got a great temperament, a lot of ability and a turn of foot. If you package all those things together, you’re going to get the real deal and he’s been that.

“Sheikh Hamdan was a fabulous supporter of ours and it just means a lot to have a horse of this nature and quality for Sheikha Hissa and the family. I’m very sad that Sheikh Hamdan wasn’t here to witness it, but he would’ve loved the journey, just as we’ve done.”