There was no fairytale ending for Baaeed at Ascot as Bay Bridge landed the QIPCO Champion Stakes on Saturday, with William Haggas’ previously unbeaten star only fourth.
The headline act on Champions Day as he signed off his racing career, which had included a perfect 10 victories, Baaeed was sent-off 1/4 favourite under regular companion Jim Crowley.
Coming out of stall one, Baaeed was settled in towards the rear as Ryan Moore set the pace on Aidan O’Brien’s Stone Age.
Still only sixth as the field turned for home, Crowley briefly struggled for room as stablemate Dubai Honour held him in on the rail, but Baaeed soon found his way through and gave chase as Charlie Appleby’s Adayar came through to lead from My Prospero and Bay Bridge.
With Adayar and Bay Bridge soon tussling it out at the front, all eyes were on Baaeed as Crowley tried to inject the usual turn of foot the racing world has grown to love from Haggas’ four-year-old.
But, Baaeed failed to pick up and Bay Bridge battled past Adayar to win by half a length for Derby-winning duo Sir Michael Stoute and Richard Kingscote.