'Absolute monster' Ghaiyyath slashed for Arc glory after stunning 14-length win

Ghaiyyath was labelled an “absolute monster” by his astonished rider William Buick on Sunday after producing a sensational display of raw, galloping power to slay his rivals in the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden by a staggering 14 lengths.

It was a performance which left observers slack-jawed and prompted his price for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, where he could yet prove to be a thorn in the side of Enable in her bid for an unprecedented third victory, to collapse to 14-1 (from 33).

The Godolphin four-year-old’s victory in Germany’s most prestigious race was the jewel in a memorable European afternoon for trainer Charlie Appleby, who also sent out Moonlight Spirit to claim the Group 3 Prix du Lutece at Longchamp and Vintager to collect the Group 2 Oettingen-Rennen at Baden-Baden.

But it was the performance of their stablemate Ghaiyyath, who provided Buick with a first Group 1 since March after a season restricted by injury, that shone out.

Connections of Ghaiyyath after his impressive victory in Germany

Running for the first time since finishing third in the Prix Ganay in April, Ghaiyyath quickly settled into a rhythm on the lead. Turning for home, the opposition began to look completely overwhelmed as Buick continued to pour it on in front and, try as they may, they could not ever get close to landing a blow on the dominant winner.

Few top-level races are won so easily, the triumph reminiscent of huge-margin victories posted by Turtle Island and Paean, who respectively won the 1994 Irish 2,000 Guineas and 1987 Gold Cup by 15 lengths.

Buick said: “He’s a monster, an absolute monster. Let’s hope that he’ll be around for a while. He’s an amazing horse.

“For one reason or another, he disappointed in the Prix Ganay but Charlie has always been adamant that Ghaiyyath will stay a mile and a half and he showed that today.”

Appleby was similarly blown away by the performance, and believes the patience shown by those closest to the lightly-raced Ghaiyyath will allow him to continue to show his full ability.

“You had to give that a ‘wow’ didn’t you?,” he said. “Wherever you are in the world to win a Group 1 by 14 lengths in the manner he did is incredible. He’s a very exciting horse and there are discussions to be had about having a tilt at the Arc with him now.

“I have to give a lot of thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed as he has always believed in the horse as much as we have and given us the confidence to give him the time between his races. Off the back of today I think this is the starting point of getting the rewards and paying back that patience.”

Ghaiyyath: won by 14 lengths on SundayCredit: Frank Sorge

He added: “We were disappointed last time in the Prix Ganay but the winner, Waldgeist, has run well in an Arc before and the second that day, Study Of Man, won the French Derby the previous season, so you have to take that into account, as he may have run a bit flat backing up after such a good run first time out this season too.”

Ghaiyyath and Vintager were partnered by Buick, who was forced to miss much of the summer through injury, and Appleby added: “William and I have had a fantastic career together and have been very lucky to have had the horses we have had over the last couple of years. With what’s happened this summer I’m also very lucky to have James [Doyle] as a wingman and there is no better man than him.”

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