Connections of six-time Group 1 winner Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}–Aghareed, by Kingmambo) have confirmed that he will join the stallion roster at Shadwell's Nunnery Stud in Norfolk for 2023.
Sheikha Hissa described herself and her family to be “so proud” of Baaeed's achievements on the track and thanked trainer William Haggas for managing the career of one of the greatest horses of the modern era.
Although the fee at which Baaeed will stand for in his debut season has yet to be announced, Angus Gold, Shadwell's racing manager, told TDN Europe earlier this week that such a decision will have a huge impact on how the horse is received in his first few seasons at stud.
Gold said, “He's the new kid on the block so, hopefully, if we price him right, he will appeal for a considerable time to come.
“There's always a new horse around so that's where we've got to be careful. If we can set the fee correctly so that breeders can use this horse happily, they will use him not just next year, but going forward.
“To be honest, we're still discussing and obviously Sheikha Hissa and her family are involved in those talks, as is Stephen Collins [European bloodstock manager] in Ireland and several people here. We want to get it right and, for the horse's sake, it's important that we do.”
A Shadwell homebred, Baaeed won all six of his starts at three and went from strength to strength this season as a 4-year-old for trainer William Haggas. His triumphs in the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury, G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot and G1 Sussex S. at Glorious Goodwood were followed by a breathtaking performance on his first start over 10 furlongs in the G1 Juddmonte International at York.
His only defeat came on his swansong at British Champions Day at Ascot last Saturday when fourth behind Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) in the G1 Champion S.
Baaeed will stand alongside fellow Sussex S. victor Mohaather (GB), exciting first-season sire Tasleet (GB) and Group 1-winning sprinter Eqtidaar (Ire) at Nunnery Stud. His nomination fee will be announced in due course.
Sheikha Hissa said, “On behalf of my family, I am delighted to confirm that Baaeed has now been retired to stand at Shadwell's Nunnery Stud for the 2023 season, where he was born in 2018.
“We are all so proud of what Baaeed has achieved and count ourselves very fortunate to have shared his journey with him. I would like to thank everyone at William's for managing his career so expertly and the teams at Shadwell and Derrinstown for raising him to be the champion that he is.
“His regal pedigree and outstanding conformation will stand him in excellent stead at stud and hopefully attract the top breeders from around the world, so that together we can give Baaeed every chance to prove himself as exceptional a stallion as he was a racehorse.”
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