Sea of Class Making Steady Progress From Colic Surgery

Top-class filly Sea of Class is reported to be making progress in the fight for her life.

But trainer William Haggas warned July 18 that recovery from the bout of colic that forced her into retirement this month will be a long process.

The 4-year-old was one of the stars of 2018 when she won the Darley Irish Oaks (G1) and Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) and almost denied Enable a second Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1).

The day after her old rival's July 6 Coral-Eclipse (G1) victory, it was revealed her racing career had been ended and she was receiving intensive care following colic surgery.

The Tsui family, who own Sea of Class, hope to save her to be a broodmare.

"She's making a little bit of progress," Haggas said. "Like all doctors, vets are very keen not to give us too much encouragement, but we feel she's looking much brighter. It's good news, but I'm afraid there's still a long way to go."

Haggas also reported that Maqsad, the forgotten filly who contested the May 31 Investec Oaks (G1), is firmly on the comeback trail and could reappear in the Qatar Nassau Stakes (G1) at Goodwood.

The Tweenhills Pretty Polly Stakes winner started as the third favorite at Epsom only to trail in eighth, with the step up to 1 1/2 miles widely blamed for her finishing position.

She has not raced since, but Haggas said: "She's in great form. She's working this weekend and then we'll make a plan for her, but she's not far away. We're very happy with her. The Nassau is a possible. It's very much in the calculations."

Maqsad will drop back to 1 1/4 miles at Goodwood, but Haggas is not convinced her Oaks performance can be put down entirely to lack of stamina.

"She stopped very quickly at Epsom, so we thought it was a little bit more than the trip," he said. "She stopped too quickly, having traveled as well as anything with two (furlongs) to run. She came back and was pretty tired after and was out of sorts for a while, but she's fine now and in good form."