Baaeed will not run in arguably Europe's greatest race after connections decided to skip the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) and head for the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) at Ascot instead.
The unbeaten son of Sea The Stars would have needed to be supplemented to the Arc by his owner/breeder Shadwell at a cost of €120,000 ($139,200).
The outfit's late supremo Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum never won the Longchamp highlight and his daughter Sheikha Hissa had been scheduled to speak to Baaeed's Newmarket-based trainer William Haggas this week about plans. A decision emerged Sept. 14 that the Ascot prize, which was always Haggas' first intention, had come out on top as the preferred option.
Prior to the news, Baaeed, flawless in 10 races, had been Coral's 9-4 favorite for the Arc, while the firm had him at 1-3 for the Champion Stakes, which takes place Oct. 15.
Ricky Hall, Baaeed's devoted groom, put the star 4-year-old through his paces in Newmarket Wednesday morning after which his camp came to the conclusion that he would not contest the Arc, a race widely regarded as one of the world's best and most prestigious.
Haggas said: "After much consultation with Sheikha Hissa and her team, we have decided that Baaeed's final start will be in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on Oct. 15.
"He was very impressive in the Juddmonte International (G1) and it was only right that we explored every option. I, in particular, was keen to keep him to a mile and a quarter, therefore the Champion Stakes was the only logical solution.
"I understand many will be disappointed he's not running in the Arc, but we can't do both and Ascot it will be."
Haggas had made no secret all season that ending on Champions Day was his preference, but Baaeed's imperious performance in the Juddmonte International at York meant the Arc, which is staged over a mile-and-a-half, was discussed as a possible farewell slot before the exceptional colt's retirement to stud.
However, the £1.3 million Champion Stakes is where, well-being permitting, he will bow out when the race's winning prize of £737,230 could come in handy in Haggas' bid for a first trainers' title.
In the absence of Baaeed, last weekend's impressive Irish Champion Stakes (G1) winner Luxembourg is the new Arc favorite at 4-1 with Coral, with Alpinista second in the market at 5-1.