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Bay Bridge upsets retiring Baaeed in Champion Stakes

Updated / Saturday, 15 Oct 2022 18:27
Richard Kingscote rides Bay Bridge to victory in the Champion Stakes
Richard Kingscote rides Bay Bridge to victory in the Champion Stakes

Baaeed was sensationally beaten for the first time on his final career start, as Bay Bridge caused an upset in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Previously unbeaten in 10 starts, William Haggas' superstar could not produce a challenge when asked by Jim Crowley in the closing stages, failing to involve himself in a late battle between Adayar and Bay Bridge (10-1).

Eventually fourth behind the two aforementioned horses and stablemate My Prospero, the victory so many expected Baaeed (1-4 favourite) to gain went the way of Michael Stoute and Richard Kingscote.

Asked for his reaction, Crowley was in no doubt as to the reason for Baaeed's reverse.

"The ground, simple as that," he said. "I turned into the straight and normally where he would pick up, normally he would be able to do it on good to soft, that kick which is normally there just wasn't there. It was heavy weather really.

"In the past, it has just been instant. It just wasn't there, simple as that. I pressed the button today and it wasn't there.

"It's unbelievable the journey we have been on. He is a very special horse and it is sad that he does not finish his career unbeaten as we have come so far. For me today, it was just sad as that kick I know he has wasn't there.

"Baaeed has captured the imagination and I'm sorry we couldn't do it today. He is a special horse still."

Michael Stoute admitted he thought Baaeed was "unbeatable" ahead of Bay Bridge's success.

The victory caps a superb year for 76-year-old Stoute and rider Richard Kingscote, who teamed up to land the Derby with Desert Crown in June.

"It was a very brave performance and we are delighted with him," the Freemason Lodge trainer said.

"He was very brave and I’m absolutely thrilled. The staff have done a great job with this horse and we are all delighted."

Bay Bridge (10-1) was beaten into fifth in the Coral-Eclipse when last seen at Sandown, but the good to firm going was an obvious excuse and he was at his best on Ascot’s good to soft turf.

"He was in very good shape, because he came back from Sandown with a knock and we had to back off him. So he has been very consistent this year, with the exception of that race," said Stoute, a good friend of Baaeed’s trainer with whom he shares a deep love of cricket.

"Obviously, we thought the favourite was unbeatable – I did. I thought he had a great chance of being second because he is in terrific shape – I hope we are still friends.

"I am delighted to have won two Group Ones this year and the staff have been brilliant and it is down to them.

"He has got a great mind. He is an easy horse to train. It has been a great thrill."

Emily Upjohn back to her best

Emily Upjohn wins the Mares Stakes

Emily Upjohn returned to her very best to run out an emphatic winner of the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

The 3-1 favourite for the Group One under an inspired Frankie Dettori, the John and Thady Gosden-trained bay travelled in mid-division before breaking clear from the rest two furlongs from home in the mile-and-a-half showpiece.

From there the Oaks runner-up, who had disappointed when last of six in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, was unreachable, triumphing by three lengths from Ger Lyons' 50-1 chance Thunder Kiss.

"It would have been heartbreaking not to win a Group One with this filly this year after what happened at Epsom in the Oaks," said Dettori.

"She's won a Group One, I'm delighted and she will stay in training next year.

"Nothing went right at Epsom, then for some reason she ran no race in the King George. John and the owners decided to give her a break. I've been riding her last couple of mornings and she has been given me the 'wow' factor again.

"It's an amazing job the team has done. After four months to be pitched into a Group One and do what she did is amazing."

Dettori: I said 'catch me if you can'

Dettori's flying dismount

Kinross was a decisive winner of the Champions Sprint Stakes for Dettori and Ralph Beckett.

Last seen winning the Prix de la Foret over seven furlongs on Arc day, the Marc Chan-owned five-year-old travelled in the middle of the group on the stand side of the track before surging forwards two furlongs from home and striding into a clear lead.

The 3-1 favourite was unchallenged at the line, securing a comfortable victory over Henry Candy's 150-1 shot Run To Freedom.

A jubilant Dettori said: "Ralph has been training fantastically this year. Two Group Ones in the space of two weeks for Kinross and we will take him to America now (Breeders' Cup Mile).

"I kicked earlier than I usually would with him. I know seven is his optimum trip so I said 'let's go, come and catch me'.

"Kinross loves the conditions, Ralph has found the key to this horse, he keeps him happy at home and doesn't do much with him. He is in tremendous form."

Longshot Bayside Boy takes QEII Stakes

Tom Marquand and Bayside Boy

Bayside Boy was a surprise - but impressive - winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Smart in his juvenile season - beating Reach For The Moon in the Champagne Stakes - the Roger Varian-trained colt had returned to winning ways in a Listed race at Sandown last time out.

Sent off at 33-1 in the hands of Tom Marquand, he crept into it and showed a smart turn of foot to sweep to a length and a quarter success over Modern Games with Jadoomi a short-head back in third.

John and Thady Gosden's Inspiral started as the 11-10 favourite, but missed the break entirely and never truly looked happy, being beaten a fair way out.

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Accreditation: PA

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