Ascot or Irish Derby for unbeaten Raaheeb Potential middle distance star Raaheeb is ready to resume his upward progress following a minor setback, with the King Edward VII Stakes or the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby back in his sights. The unbeaten Owen Burrows-trained three-year-old has been given time to get over soreness following an impressive win in Sandown’s Classic Trial last month. But Angus Gold, racing manager to owners Shadwell, said the colt is back in faster work having done a “half-speed” on Wednesday morning with his unblemished record potentially on the line at the royal meeting. “Raaheeb was a bit sore after the Sandown Classic Trial. Not on account of the ground just a bit stiff and sore which is just what horses do on you from time to time,” said Gold. “We just had to give him a couple of weeks without cantering but he did a little half-speed this morning and so far we are heading in the right direction.” “The obvious options if he is ready would be the King Edward VII or the Irish Derby so we will just see where we are in a couple of weeks. We’ll see whether Owen Burrows is happy enough with him to give him another run and go again.” The excitement surrounding Raaheeb is understandable, not only on account of his impressive Sandown win but given he is a full-brother to both six-time Group One superstar Baaeed and 2023 King George winner Hukum. Baaeed is also about to have his first two-year-old runner in the form of the John and Thady Gosden-trained Shiyam, who is ready to hit the racecourse for the first time on Thursday at Yarmouth. Gold reported Baaeed to be doing well in his new career – he is standing at Shadwell’s Beech House Stud in Newmarket – and said the team were looking forward to seeing his first crop in action. “Shiyam is a neat little horse who is a half-brother to Luther who Charlie Fellows trained a few years ago and was a good horse. They were out of a small family, Luther was a small horse and this fellow is a small horse,” said Gold. “I think he has been showing up well enough though, and while I should imagine he will be typically green on his first start so we are not going to say he is going to win straight away, hopefully he will give a good account of himself.” Baaeed, who was only beaten once in his career, coming fourth on his last run in the 2022 Champion Stakes at Ascot, has taken to stud duties well according to Gold. He said: “Touch wood he is as model a stallion as he was a racehorse. He just goes about his work and is charming horse with a fantastic temperament who has been well-supported. Hopefully now we will get to see how they run.”
