International Field Challenges Brilliant Baaeed at York

Baaeed  has been a byword for brilliance during his racing career, which is due to end at Ascot in October, but, by stepping up in trip to 1 5/16 miles, connections can hardly be accused of ducking and diving to protect the future stallion's reputation.

Unbeaten in nine, he has not put a foot wrong with wins in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (G1), Queen Anne Stakes (G1), and Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) this term, adding to the group 1 victories he recorded last year in the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1).

He is a red-hot favorite to notch his sixth top-flight success Aug. 17, which would equal his sire, the exceptional Sea The Stars , who won the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) as part of his all-conquering 2009 campaign.

There are hardly any trip concerns about Baaeed, the crack miler seemingly blessed with few, if any, weaknesses.

Trainer William Haggas "always felt he'd be better over further" and is full of respect for the opposition. He said: "I think he'll stay, no problem.

"It feels right to me. You'd think he can just sit and wait and let it all unfold. I think Jim (Crowley) has a lot of confidence in the horse and trusts the horse to quicken.

"The three weeks between Goodwood and this race are fine and there's nothing about York that should trouble him. There's not a lot to say and we're not trying to look for problems—we just want to get on with it.

"He won on softer ground in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day last year and I can't find a negative, but I'm sure we'll find one if he gets beaten."

Baaeed runs in the Shadwell silks of the late Hamdan Al Maktoum, whose daughter Sheikha Hissa has taken huge pride in the blue-blooded colt's exploits. 

He is a relative of Shadwell legend Nashwan, and Sheikha Hissa, speaking as part of a promotion for the QIPCO British Champions Series, said: "When a horse likes to do his job, it makes life so much easier, and Baaeed has his ears pricked even on the gallops.

"My father would have loved him, as homebreds always gave him special pride, especially from the Nashwan family. Last year, I was afraid every time he went to the racecourse, but I don't know when I'll next see a horse like him, so I'm trying just to enjoy the process. He proved he's a great horse at a mile and he's bred for stepping up, so he should be fine technically."

Haggas also plans to run recent York Stakes second Dubai Honour , but added: "He needs rain and won't run if it doesn't rain. Some was forecast and I was disappointed he didn't win last time, but he's much better with cut in the ground."

Repeat Hopes for Mishriff Camp

Mishriff  was a spellbinding winner of the International 12 months ago and is seen as Baaeed's biggest danger, but his habit of starting slowly might have cost him the Coral Eclipse Stakes (G1) and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (G1) this summer.

He is trained by John and Thady Gosden, who said: "We all know the one to beat, but Mishriff has come out of the King George in good form and York is a track he likes and knows well. We're taking the same route into the race as last year, it worked well then, and we're hopeful of another good run.

"He's versatile regarding trip, ground, surface, or country, so should be okay if they get some rain but doesn't want extremes of going, which it doesn't look as if it will be."

Native Trail 'Can Make a Race Of It'

Baaeed has earned Frankel  comparisons but was not a champion 2-year-old and never won a Classic—unlike Godolphin's Native Trail .

Second to stablemate Coroebus  in the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas Stakes (G1), he went one better in the Irish equivalent and was then a half-length third—behind Vadeni  and Mishriff—in the Eclipse.

"Baaeed is top class with an outstanding profile, but we feel we have the right horse to take him on and make a race of it," trainer Charlie Appleby said.

"Native Trail's work has been great. His condition is second to none. He thrives on his work, and, after giving him a break following the Eclipse last month, we have been winding his work up week by week. He is thriving."

Flawless when 4-for-4 as a juvenile, Native Trail could catch the eye in the preliminaries.

"He has always been a very mature individual physically," Appleby said. "And he's going to be one of the standout picks in the paddock because he's a strapping, good-looking individual.

"Baaeed is the horse we have to beat and respect, but the confidence we take into the race is that Native Trail has been over the trip. He finished a creditable third against some very nice middle-distance horses at Sandown. He's a champion 2-year-old, who has gone on to win a Classic and is a multiple group 1 winner with six wins from eight starts—that's an impressive CV."

Group 2 winners High Definition  and Sir Busker  complete the field.