Juddmonte International Won’t Feature Desert Crown

Epsom Derby winner Desert Crown is out of the Juddmonte International Stakes during the Ebor Festival at York next month. A foot problem, more serious that first feared, keeps Sir Michael Stoute’s Classic hero off the track with Baaeed now odds-on for victory.

After already missing the King George at Ascot because of the setback, bookmakers removed Desert Crown from their ante post betting on this extended 10-furlong Group 1 race. He was a course and distance winner after landing the Dante Stakes in style on the Knavesmire in May.

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Baaeed the Beneficiary in Juddmonte International Betting

Unbeaten in three career starts, Desert Crown may still run again in the autumn, according to owner Saeed Suhail’s racing manager Bruce Raymond. “He is taking things easy at the moment and I know Sir Michael won’t be preparing him for York,” connections’ representative told the Racing Post.

“Beyond that we will see how things are, but hopefully he could run later on in something like the Arc or the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October.” Prior to the result of the King George, the absence of Desert Crown leaves a number of older horses at the head of the market.

Chief among those is William Haggas’ unbeaten Shadwell Estates colt Baaeed. He takes in the Sussex Stakes, one of the top Glorious Goodwood races, in en route to stepping up in trip for the Juddmonte International. Baaeed faces no more than eight rivals on Wednesday, 27 July but will concede weight for age for the first time in his career.

Prior to his Goodwood date, he is now odds-on at 10/11 with bet365 for victory at York. Newmarket handler Haggas was born in the White Rose county and always targets the Ebor Festival with some of his best runners. Baaeed could well break his duck in the race if staying the extra quarter-mile as expected.

Older Globetrotters Mishriff & State Of Rest Also in Frame

Two of the last four renewals of the Juddmonte International went to the John Gosden team. He saddled Mishriff alongside son Thady to an impressive victory in this last season. However the five-year-old performs in the King George under James Doyle, a…