'He was in a bad way' - Addeybb return set after surviving severe health scare

Globetrotting star Addeybb, who was ruled out of a third successive trip to Australia this spring due to a life-threatening infected blood clot, has recently returned to action on the Newmarket gallops and could be back racing as early as next month.

Trainer William Haggas endured some worrying weeks last November when Addeybb spent two weeks at the Newmarket Equine Hospital enduring treatment on his hock, not long after competing in the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes.

Now an eight-year-old, Addeybb would currently be in Australia were it not for his injury but Haggas is hoping to have the multiple Grade 1 winner back in action at Sandown next month with an eye to running him at Royal Ascot in June.

Haggas said: "Thankfully, Addeybb has recovered from his issues and has been cantering away on the Al Bahathri Polytrack of late. He was in a bad way for a while and full marks to the vets who did a marvellous job with him. It's been a long road back but I'm happy with him going forward in to the 2022 season."

In a perfect world, Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's gelding would have attempted a third successive win in last Saturday's Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick, which this year was won by 40-1 outsider Think It Over with old adversary Verry Elleegant only fifth.

Addeybb: dual winner of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes from Verry Elleegant (right)Credit: Mark Evans

All being well, Addeybb will now make his course reappearance in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on May 26.

Haggas said: "The plan would be to run him back at Sandown in the Group 3 where he would be well in as he has now lost all his Group 1 penalties. If he were to win that we would head to Royal Ascot and have another crack at the Group 1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes."

Addeybb, who finished second to Lord North in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes in 2020, has racked up over £3.5 million in prize-money during his career which has yielded six Group race wins, four at the top level.

Haggas also revealed an Ascot plan B up his sleeve: "If Addeybb doesn't win at Sandown then he could instead go for the Listed Wolferton Stakes, which is a race he won in 2019."

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