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Which star names were beaten at odds-on in the Juddmonte International?

Baaeed (Jim Crowley) wins the QEII StakesAscot 16.10.21 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Baaeed: sent off as odds-on favourite in seven of his nine startsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Baaeed looks poised to join a host of star names on the Juddmonte International Stakes (3.35) roll of honour, but the York highlight has proved uneasy territory for odds-on shots – as demonstrated by the list of beaten favourites at short prices.

Since the race was introduced in 1972, a total of 19 horses were shorter than evens, 12 of whom were turned over.

Brigadier Gerard, sent off 1-3, memorably suffered the only defeat of his 18-race career when beaten by Roberto in the inaugural running, while Rheingold (1973), Grundy (1975), Trepan (1976) and Artaius (1977) were also denied at odds-on in the early runnings.

Oh So Sharp came unstuck at odds of 2-5 on her Knavesmire bid in 1985 – the same year she claimed the Fillies' Triple Crown – and Cacoethes, returning at the same price in 1989, was upset by 16-1 outsider Ile de Chypre.

There were further defeats in the following decade for Stagecraft (1991) and Bosra Sham (1997). Dylan Thomas (2006), Await The Dawn (2011) and Golden Horn (2015) have been the only beaten odds-on shots since the turn of the millennium.

Baaeed backers will take comfort from the fact his sire Sea The Stars (2009) is among the seven odds-on winners in Juddmonte International history, as well as Frankel (2012) – but not from August being dubbed a graveyard month worldwide for big-name, short-priced favourites down the years.

Champions Man O' War, Secretariat, Cigar and American Pharoah all suffered shock defeats during the month.

Back at York, Silvestre de Sousa pulled off a massive Juddmonte International upset on 50-1 chance Arabian Queen when lowering the colours of Golden Horn in 2015.

The leading rider suggested there was no obvious reason why odds-on shots should struggle in the Juddmonte, given the track layout, but he believed the best results while riding at York came when keeping tactics as uncomplicated as possible.

He said: "York is a very fair track. When all those big horses go there, sometimes they [connections] can get a bit too tied up with how to ride the race. It's an easy course to ride, a galloping track.

"Because of the nature of the place, not many horses come from behind off a slow pace – you're going to struggle if that happens. The front-runners can keep going unless they go too fast."

Arabian Queen (right) upsets Golden Horn in the Juddmonte International
Arabian Queen (right) upsets Golden Horn in the Juddmonte International in 2015Credit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

On how he masterminded Arabian Queen's massive upset, De Sousa said: "Everything played into my hands that day. I rode the race just how I had pictured the race in my mind.

"I had to look up and keep an eye on the lead horse [Dick Doughtywylie], but at the same time needed eyes in the back of my head to watch for Golden Horn. I knew he'd be behind me – and he did push me hard up the straight – but my filly ran her heart out."

'I can't see him getting beaten'

De Sousa is without a ride in this year's Juddmonte, but has no doubts over who he would like to ride if given the choice.

"There are so many brilliant horses and I think it's the best race we've seen for a long time," said De Sousa.

"I'm a big fan of Baaeed, though. I can't see him getting beaten."


Read this next:

I'm taking on Baaeed – and here's why this horse can give him a proper fight


Wednesday's previews:

1.50 York: can Dakota Gold bring the house down as Ebor festival starts with a sprint?

2.25 York: outsider could prove the value as unexposed juveniles line up in open Acomb

3.00 York: can 'worthy favourite' Secret State handle the step up to Group 2 company?

3.35 York: 'I think he'll stay, no problem' - Haggas on Baaeed's Juddmonte test


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