Baaeed proves himself a beast in Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

Billed as one of the best mile contests staged in recent years, the race did not disappoint as the Shadwell-owned winner held off five top class Palace Pier by a neck in a thrilling finish.

The three-year-old Baaeed was making it six wins from six career starts and gave jockey Jim Crowley a double on QIPCO British Champions Day following the win of Eshadaa in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

Five-year-old mare Lady Bowthorpe ran a fantastic race to take third, beaten a length and a quarter, in what would be her final start before retirement.

Trainer William Haggas commented, “He’s done it, he’s won today. I think Jim’s words were that he coped with the ground, rather than loved it, and he’s beaten the best miler in Europe. What can you say? I’m thrilled to bits, shaking a lot.

“I watched it, I was walking around a bit, trying to get up to my 10,000 steps a day, well I’ve succeeded that! It was great.”

Crowley said: “I think Baaeed could be a world champion. He’s just a beast, he keeps getting better.

“It was magical. I think people forget he’s come such a long way in a short space of time. It’s a great buzz to ride a horse that good.

“He was a little bit fresh in my hands because I didn’t have any cover, but he was really tough. It was a great race. I thought the first couple of furlongs were sensible enough, then from four down the pace was just relentless, which I thought really suited my lad.

“I’m pretty sure he would stay further if he had to. He’s got a great mind, there doesn’t seem to be any chinks in his armour. He travels so well, the stronger they go in a race the better for him. He’s got a very good turn of foot as well.

“William has done a fantastic job with him. He probably wasn’t 100% going into France and he got the job done, so it was nice to bring him here in tip top condition today.