William Haggas reveals the Arc and Irish Champion will be considered for Baaeed

Baaeed has been handed three possible routes to retirement, with trainer William Haggas on Thursday making clear for the first time that the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe will be considered for the exceptional Juddmonte International hero.

Having proved unbeatable over a mile, the world's highest-rated thoroughbred rose to an astonishing new level on his first attempt at a mile and a quarter, crushing Mishriff by six and a half lengths to earn a Racing Post Rating of 138, one that has been topped on turf only by Frankel.

He will also be given an official rating of 135 (up from 128) by the BHA, a figure bettered only by Frankel (140) and sire Sea The Stars (136) since the World's Best Racehorse Rankings were introduced in 2004.

When speaking in the winner's enclosure, Haggas and owner Sheikha Hissa both pointed Baaeed towards a farewell outing in the Qipco Champion Stakes on October 15. Now, however, the Arc – for which he would need to be supplemented – and Leopardstown's Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes have been added to the melting pot, with Haggas stressing the owner would ultimately determine an autumn programme for Shadwell's future stallion.

William Haggas watches Baaeed's superb display in the Juddmonte International at YorkCredit: Edward Whitaker

Haggas told the Racing Post: "Everything is possible at the moment, even the Arc. I have to talk to Sheikha Hissa, but we're going to enjoy the moment and don't need to make any decisions yet.

"There are three options. It's either Champion Stakes only, the Irish Champion and then the Champion Stakes, or the Arc de Triomphe.

"If Sheikha Hissa wants him to have two races, the middle option would be the one. If Sheikha Hissa is happy to go the Champion only, then that would be the route. If she would like to go for the Arc, that would be the one and the rest would not be in the equation.

"It's just a case of how much I let him off. I would let him off a bit if we were going straight to the Champion Stakes, but if we were going elsewhere I don't need to let him off too much."

Asked if he would be confident about Baaeed being fully effective over a mile and a half in the Arc – for which Paddy Power quote him at 5-4 with a run – Haggas said: "We had quite a lot of people saying we shouldn't even be going over a mile and a quarter. They didn't see why we would do that when he was already so good over a mile. He actually improved for the extra distance – and I didn't see anything at York that suggested a mile and a half would not be within his reach.

Baaeed and Jim Crowley pass the line six and a half lengths clear of the field at YorkCredit: Edward Whitaker

"What the Juddmonte International did was confirm what we have always thought about him. He was imperious. That pleased me because I'm very keen for him to get the recognition he deserves. I think he is exceptional."

Sheikha Hissa spoke at York of wanting Baaeed to have one final race at Ascot, and racing manager Angus Gold had repeated that on Thursday, although he did so prior to Haggas's latest comments.

"Personally, I would very much doubt the Irish Champion is a possibility," said Gold. "He is entered in the race but when I spoke to Sheikha Hissa yesterday about the possibility of the Arc, she just said she wanted to stick with William's original plan, which was the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

"We'll give it time, let the dust settle and there's nice conversations to be had, but at the moment I don't see the Irish Champion coming into the equation, and at the moment there is no temptation for the Arc, unless Sheikha Hissa and the family change their mind."

Sheikha Hissa and William Haggas pose for pictures with Baaeed after his York winCredit: Edward Whitaker

Haggas also praised the efforts of his team, described Crowley's International ride as "outstanding" and expressed pleasure about moving to the top of the British trainers' championship.

"We have never been there before, apart from when we won the Lincoln and were leading the championship for about a week," he said.

"To get to the top of the table is obviously very satisfying, and we'll try to stay there, but there are lots of good people with big strings snapping at our heels, so it's going to be a battle. We'll just keep on doing what we're doing – and, crikey, when it rains we have another team of high-quality horses who will be ready to roll.

"Look at Aldaary. He is a smart horse but you haven't seen him at all since May. He'll hopefully come into his own in the autumn when it rains."

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