Economics 'definitely has more to come' says Tom Marquand as star colt vindicates William Haggas's plan with impressive return

Economics went from "could be anything" to legitimate future star in the space of the 23 seconds it took him to sweep past Jayarebe past the Deauville winning post under a jubilant Tom Marquand. 

In doing so he unleashed scenes of unrestrained celebration as William Haggas embraced first the colt's owner, Shaikh Isa Salman Al Khalifa, and then racing manager Jake Warren, the pressure of having passed up a crack at the Derby in the hope of banking future capital washed away in a joyous instant. 

"I don’t know the answer to that but you get a gut feeling in your life and we just felt that it was the right thing for him," said Haggas when asked to quantify how much upside there might be to having stuck to their guns.

Marquand was in far less doubt on the subject, adding: "There’s definitely more to come from him physically but no-one can stress enough what William and Shaikh Isa did. To miss the Derby is a very bold call. 

"William and Maureen [Haggas] are so often right about these horses – pretty much every time – and for Shaikh Isa to trust the team with that, well it’s a big day to miss out on. 

"But they’ve undoubtedly made the rest of this horse’s career, whatever he does from hereon in."

Haggas had expressed the hope beforehand that we might all get the confirmation of what Economics had dropped heavy hints about in the Dante in May and he was happy to hail a fine performance on just the colt's fourth career start,  which came a full 91 days after the York win.

"I’m very pleased with him," said Haggas. "I haven’t watched it properly as I saw it from a disadvantageous position but he had a bit of a fight with Brian Meehan’s horse [Jayaraebe] and stayed on well.

"I think Brian’s is a pretty nice horse and I think the first four home were in the right order, so that suggests it might have been quite a good race. It’s the firmest he’s ever run on. I’m not sure he needs that ground but he’s a pretty good horse, I think."

Betfair cut Economics to 4-1 (from 7) for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and both trainer and owner are keen to make that the next stop.

"The natural thing is the Irish Champion Stakes because it’s sponsored by the Bahrain royal family and Shaikh Isa is the grandson of the King," said Haggas. "That’s an obvious race and he’s in the Qipco Champion Stakes. All being well and with a fair wind, it’ll be those two."

All smiles for Tom Marquand as he is led back in on EconomicsCredit: APRH/Quentin Bertrand

Haggas added: "Who knows how much he'll improve but I'd be a fool if I hadn’t got him quite ready. We’ve done a bit with him – just the normal – and had him fit enough to do it if he was good enough."

Drawn wide and safe in the knowledge that Safwan was in the field to set the pace for stablemate Wahdan, Marquand watched from the rear before angling Economics out turning in, allowing this giant frame of a colt to work through the gears on his way to a two-length success, with another six lengths back to Almaqam in third.

"He was exceptional, there’s no getting away from that," said Marquand of the flashy son of Night Of Thunder. "Obviously he did what he did in the Dante and you just hope it wasn’t too good to be true.

"Today was always going to be a pivotal day in his career. He’s shown what we saw at York but this was three times, five times better; whatever number you want to put on it. That was a big performance with form that stands up as well."

Economics was led up by Ricky Hall, the man who rode Baaeed in the mornings and a reminder that, for all that Economics is yet to win a Group 1, lightning is in danger of striking the Haggas team twice in short order. He is certainly in the right hands to fulfil his potential. 

Team Economics: Jake Warren, Tom Marquand, Ricky Hall, Shaikh Isa and William HaggasCredit: Racing Post/Burton

"I’ve been part of the Somerville Lodge team for a while now and I’ve been very lucky to ride some very good horses," said Marquand. "Watching Baaeed going out and winning for the team was brilliant because I genuinely feel part of the team and not just a jockey jumping on their back. 

"It was great to see that but there’s that jealous side to all of us – otherwise we wouldn’t be any good at what we do – that you want to be the one on their backs. 

"So to find a horse so quickly who's looking like he might be of the same calibre is exciting and leaves us plenty to look forward to."

Analysis: 'A thoroughly professional performance containing a spark of brilliance'

By Richard Birch, tipster

Economics did what many expected while leaving the impression there was scope for considerably more to come.

It was a thoroughly professional performance with a spark of brilliance, which strongly suggested he would make a major impact in Group 1 company further down the line.

Held up sixth of the seven runners by Tom Marquand, the son of Night Of Thunder settled beautifully off a good gallop.

The 11-10 favourite had plenty to do entering the short straight, but his long stride rapidly took him upsides Jayarebe, conqueror of King’s Gambit in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot, and he lengthened in excellent fashion to forge clear close home.

Firmly on top at the finish, Economics handled the quick ground well, but could prove even better with some give underfoot.

He is now likely to be aimed at a Group 1 over 1m2f in the autumn, and connections will have viewed this as a perfect preparation.

Paddy Power reacted by shortening his odds to 5-1 favourite (from 7s) for the Qipco Champion Stakes in October, which doesn’t look an overreaction.

The Ascot Group 1 appeals as the ideal race for him this season, and it would be a surprise if he didn’t step up to 1m4f next year judged on the manner in which he hit the Deauville line.

With only four runs under his belt, three of them wins, Economics has ample scope to get even better and remains an extremely exciting colt.

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