Cover image courtesy of Dan Himbrechts for AAP Photos
Haggas first started thinking seriously about a trip to Australia with Addeybb and stablemate Young Rascal (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) 10 months ago and the long-range plan has delivered near perfect results.
Three weeks ago, Addeybb won the G1 Ranvet S. and Young Rascal was successful in the G3 Manion Cup and on Saturday the former crushed an outstanding field of weight-for-age performers in the G1 Longines Queen Elizabeth S.
The only disappointment was Young Rascal’s unplaced effort in the G1 Sydney Cup, but that was quickly forgotten in the wake of the Sheikh Al Maktoum-raced Addeybb’s blitz of eight Group 1 winners.
“It’s some a thrill and it takes a lot of time and effort from everyone back home and it’s fantastic,” said Harry Eustace, who has been looking after his employer Haggas’ horses in Sydney. I hope he’s as excited as I am and he’ll certainly be jumping around in his office.
Harry Eustace with Addeybb (Ire) | Image courtesy of Annabel Neasham
“Since June last year he thought Addeybb was the right horse and getting the soft ground down here to come for The Championships was ideal. To pull it off is fantastic and if we’d had more rain he would have won by further.”
“To pull it off is fantastic and if we’d had more rain he would have won by further.” – Harry Eustace
The 6-year-old has now won 10 of his 18 starts and his penchant for wet going is emphasised by his record with all bar one of his victories on slow or heavy footing.
Addeybb settled in the trail behind runaway leader Gailo Chop (Fr) (Deportivo {GB}) before he was angled into the clear and took control 400 metres from home.
“It was such a deep field and I thought it would be a real nail-biter to the finish,” said Eustace, whose brother David trains in partnership with Ciaron Maher. “He ran all the way to the line in the Ranvet and he always was going to do the same here.
“It was an easy watch over the last 50 metres. It’s the biggest win I’ve been involved with.”
Addeybb had 2.8l to spare at the line on Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}), who ran on gamely, with Danon Premium (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) third. He challenged 200 metres from home, but was unable to go on with it in the heavy ground.
Master Of Wine (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) was a meritorious fourth in his first Group 1 test and next home were the Jamie Richards-trained stablemates Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands).
Tom Marquand | Image courtesy of Dan Himbrechts for AAP Photos
Integral to the success of the Haggas raiders has been English jockey Tom Marquand.
“Honestly, I thought I had my dream day a few weeks ago. I thought he may have been vulnerable and Young Rascal would be the one to get me out of jail,” he said.
“I thought he may have been vulnerable and Young Rascal would be the one to get me out of jail.” – Tom Marquand
“What a tough, straight-forward and genuine horse Addeybb is. He knows when to turn it on and just drops his head and runs for you, you don’t even have to ask him.
“It’s an honour to ride a horse like him and for William Haggas and the Sheikh to keep me on is pretty mind-blowing.
“He’s a horse that goes through wet ground as though it’s not even there and I guess that’s one of his main attributes. He just doesn’t care and there was never a moment today when I knew he wouldn’t pick up.
”I guess it was just a matter of how much the Japanese horse and everyone else found, but my horse was far superior.
“A lot of people may under-estimate how much this means to me. Obviously, I’m still quite young and hopefully a long time ahead of me in the saddle.
“A lot of people may under-estimate how much this means to me.” – Tom Marquand
“To come down here and win the Queen Elizabeth on an English horse for someone who has given me a lot of support couldn’t mean any more, and at a time when it’s tough for English racing.”
Marquand has been a regular visitor to Australia and will head home after racing next weekend.
“I think my plan is to go home next Saturday. It’s getting harder and harder to get home and I think I’ve had my share of luck so far this year,” he said.
William Haggas | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
A half-brother to the winner and Group 3 performer Meer Kat (Ire) (Red Ransom {USA}), Addeybb is a son of Bush Cat (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}) who won as a 2-year-old.
She is a half-sister to the multiple stakes-winner Busha’ (USA) (Mercer Mill {USA}) and a headline act within the first two generations is the dual Group 1 winner and sire Strategic Choice (USA) (Alleged {USA}).
