Champion racehorse and sire Galileo passed away this year , but his younger half-brother Sea the Stars is still going strong at age 15 producing a new Group I winner overnight with undefeated Shadwell homebred Baaeed taking out the Group I Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (1600m).
Unraced at two, the William Haggas trained colt has made swift progress this year winning a maiden at Leicester in June before progressing through a novice race, a Listed win and then a Group III win at his previous start before arriving in France.
Taking on older horses, Baaeed was sent out favourite and rose to the challenge.
Baaeed surged to the front for Jim Crowley and held his rivals to win by a length and a quarter over the Coolmore entry Order of Australia, keeping his record perfect at five for five.
“He's not done much wrong this year and if he didn't run again it wouldn't be the end of the world, but if he stays in good form and the ground remains how he likes it I'm sure we'd have another go,” said assistant trainer Maureen Haggas.
“It would be nice if he stayed in training next year but that's up to Sheikha Hissa and Angus [Gold]. We'd love to have him.”
Baaeed is a full brother to Group III winner Hukum and is the best of three winners from stakes-winning Kingmambo mare Aghareed, a daughter of Champion US Turf mare Lahudood.
Baaeed is the 15th Group I winner for Sea the Stars, who stands at Aga Khan Studs at a fee of 150,000 euros.
A Green Desert line sire as a son of Cape Cross, Sea the Stars has built an impressive record at stud and runs at 12.1% stakes-winners to runners.
