BAAEED trainer William Haggas suffered a massive pre-race scare – as he was fined over a ‘skin condition’.
The racing world was blown away by the unbeaten superstar’s six-and-a-half length romp in the £1million Juddmonte International.
Haggas was fined as part of a huge pre-race scare that revealed Baaeed had a ‘skin condition’
Brilliant Baaeed was simply amazing in his Juddmonte romp
Having made it a perfect ten from ten on the racecourse, the Shadwell-owned Baaeed is set to race for one last time at Ascot in October – although he could be thrown into the Irish Champion Stakes too, Haggas revealed on Thursday morning.
But his step up to 1m2f from a mile and subsequent ‘murdering’ of rivals at York on Wednesday was thrown into turmoil just moments before the race.
A veterinary officer at the track conducted a full survey of the world’s best horse before the off.
And they noted a skin condition on the horse’s neck that Haggas, 61, did not have the appropriate certificate for.
A British Horseracing Authority statement read: “The veterinary officer reported that Baaeed, trained by William Haggas, appeared to be showing signs of a skin condition and the trainer did not have a certificate of non-contagiousness.
“Haggas was fined £140 and skin scrapings from the horse were sent for analysis.”
Speaking after the win, Haggas said: “We had a scare with a veterinary issue before the race. Those things add to the pressure.
“We had a little scare but the nerves were replaced by sheer joy on the run-in. He was imperious.
“It was a superlative performance.”
The horse was not affected by the skin condition and those on course said you couldn’t see the rash, presumably because it was so small.
Baaeed cruised past Mishriff in the final furlong and raced into history for jockey Jim Crowley.
Crowley said: “That was amazing. It was a bit tense before the race but we can let our hair down now.
“He is the perfect racehorse. He’s got everything and is as good as the greats.”
Haggas added: “That was brilliant, wasn’t it? I’m so delighted, but relieved, too.
“The best moment was when Jim just brought him through the horses. He was on the bridle and then I knew it would be all right.
“For me that was such a wonderful moment.
“He’s a special horse. We’re so lucky. He was imperious, nearly as good as Frankel.
“But let’s give Baaeed credit for what he’s achieved and try not to compare him to Frankel — even though that’s hard.”
