William Haggas

Derby-winning trainer William Haggas is looking forward to the G1 Cazoo Derby on June 5. The trainer, who won the race 25 years ago with Shaamit (Ire) (Mtoto {GB}), has listed winner Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) to take part in the Blue Riband. "The race means exactly the same as it did 25 years ago in that it's the ultimate race for an English trainer to win or to try to win," Haggas reflected. "We've thrown a few darts at it unsuccessfully and it's a very hard race to win....

William Haggas could not have hoped for a better warm-up for the June 4 G1 Coronation Cup for the apple of his eye Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), with Shadwell's deeply-promising 4-year-old going through Saturday's G3 Al Rayyan S. at Newbury like a routine piece of work. Treating Juddmonte's 2019 G1 St Leger hero Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) as a mere lead-horse, the 10-11 favourite who had won comfortably on fast ground in the course-and-distance G3 John Porter S. Apr. 18 sauntered by that rival two out. Unextended...

Shadwell's Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who won the G3 Finest Surprise S. at Newbury on Apr. 18, will back up in the G3 Al Rayyan S. there on May 15. Originally, the 4-year-old was tagged to go straight to the June 4 G1 Coronation Cup S., but trainer William Haggas determined that his charge was so fresh and well, another run was needed. "I was going to wait for the Coronation Cup, but he's too well so he's going to run next Saturday in a Group 3...

Shadwell's Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was Saturday's most visually impressive winner as he took apart the Listed Newmarket S. to earn a tilt at the June 5 G1 Epsom Derby. Anchored in last early, the 2-1 second favourite who had won over the same course and distance in a handicap at the Craven meeting Apr. 14 cruised to the front passing two out and was not asked a single question from there as he coasted to a five-length success from the 4-5 market-leader Secret Protector (War Front). "He has clearly...

One of the lesser-fancied 3-year-old colts in the line-up for Friday's G3 bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown, M M Stables' Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) nevertheless emerged front and centre with no hint of fluke as he split the Godolphin duo of Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Runner-up in the Listed Ascendant S. on soft ground at Haydock in September, the William Haggas-trained 25-1 shot was sent forward from the break by Tom Marquand and made certain that Yibir was unable to enjoy an easy time there....

Sunday's G3 John Porter S. victor Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is a likely starter in the June 4 G1 Cazoo Coronation Cup at Epsom according to trainer William Haggas. Also under consideration is the G3 Huxley S. at Chester on May 7 for the Shadwell colourbearer. "I don't think it was that good a race, but I thought he won well--he won like I hoped he would," said Haggas. "He's always been a very slick, smooth worker and a horse with a lot of talent, but he...

The steady return of high-class flat action to the European turf heightened to a crescendo last week, with enthusiasts of that realm treated to a plethora of quality racing not only across the UK, Ireland and France, but also in Australia, where European-bred and -sired horses shone bright on the second day of The Championships. While significant pointers were staged for the middle-distance and sprinting divisions, all eyes were on the Classic trials, with now under two weeks until the Newmarket editions. And while a handful of black-type races shook...

Trainer William Haggas said his team in Australia is "really happy" with G1 Champion S. winner Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) ahead of the 7-year-old's defense of his G1 Queen Elizabeth S. title at Randwick on Saturday, and that he thinks some rainfall will help the gelding turn the tables on star local mare Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), who beat him first up in the G1 Ranvet S. on Mar. 27, which Addeybb also won last year. "They are really happy with him, but we could do with some rain....

One of the most exposed of the fillies gathered for Wednesday's G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S. at Newmarket, Cheveley Park Stud's Sacred (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) was nevertheless totally unexposed at this seven-furlong trip and showed more than adequate stamina combined with decisive speed to prevail. Switched off towards the rear by Ryan Moore, the 6-1 shot was delivered up the far rail passing halfway by Ryan Moore but needed a gap heading down into the "dip". Slicing between rivals as soon as the chance appeared, the homebred...

When we wrapped up last Flat season, the lofty assumption was that by the start of this new one we would be back to some semblance of normality. How wrong could we have been? After a brutal winter, the pandemic is only now easing to the point where a limited number of owners were permitted to attend racecourses in England and Scotland from yesterday (Monday).  There are not too many areas within racing in which Britain is ahead of Ireland or France—witness the Irish domination of the Cheltenham Festival and...

When Roy and Gretchen Jackson purchased their 190-acre property in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1978, they christened it Lael Farm, the Gaelic word for loyalty. Today, more than 40 years into the couples' transatlantic forays in the world of breeding and racing Thoroughbreds, that name could hardly be more appropriate. The Jacksons, both lifelong horse people, became household names in the sport and beyond in 2006 during their months-long attempt to save the life of their GI Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro (Dynaformer) after the colt suffered what was ultimately a...

Only three horses in the world finished the season with a rating higher than Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), and certainly none of them have won Group 1 races in two hemispheres within 2020. Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's homebred 6-year-old may not have received the recognition he deserves for his exploits throughout the year, but it is safe to say that he is fully appreciated by his trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand. It is also not an exaggeration to say that, as much of the racing world went into...