Ebor Festival: Baaeed seeks 10th straight win in Juddmonte International at York
- Published
Baaeed has left his rivals trailing in nine previous races
Baaeed will enter uncharted territory as the world's top-rated racehorse bids to extend his unbeaten record to 10 at York's Ebor Festival on Wednesday.
He will run over a mile and a quarter for the first time in the Juddmonte International for jockey Jim Crowley and trainer William Haggas.
Baaeed, who has only raced over a mile previously, will face five rivals as stablemate Alenquer misses out.
Mishriff, High Definition, Sir Busker, Dubai Honour and Native Trail also run.
Last year's runner-up Alenquer was ruled out after tests showed signs of an infection.
John Oxx, who trained Baaeed's sire Sea The Stars,, external said: "Baaeed has great class and obviously the pedigree to go further, so hopefully he'll enjoy the distance.
"Horses of that quality are more adaptable distance-wise than we as trainers often think they are."
A York record for Stradivarius?
The Juddmonte is the big race on the opening day of a four-day meeting, which is one of the highlights of the flat racing season.
On Thursday, Alpinista will go for a seventh consecutive victory - in the Yorkshire Oaks, where Irish Oaks winner Magical Lagoon will be among her rivals.
The popular Stradivarius, trained by John and Thady Gosden, seeks a fourth Lonsdale Cup triumph on Friday and could renew rivalry with Trueshan.
Andrea Atzeni retains the ride on Stradivarius after he replaced Frankie Dettori for the Goodwood Cup, when he was runner-up and Trueshan finished third to Kyprios.
Stradivarius will seek his 21st career victory, which would extend his European record of 18 wins at the top Group level, and could make him the first horse to win seven times at York - a track where he has never been beaten.
Friday also sees the top sprinters do battle in the Nunthorpe Stakes, with Royal Aclaim and Platinum Queen among the favourites.
The big race on Saturday as the meeting comes to a close is the Ebor Handicap, where Earl Of Tyrone is a leading fancy for Irish trainer Paddy Twomey, who also saddles La Petite Coco in Thursday's Yorkshire Oaks.