Latest news with #Haggas
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
William Haggas tells me next targets for two of his Royal Ascot stars – but it's more bad news for Economics
The Somerville Lodge handler has his squad in top form MATT CHAPMAN William Haggas tells me next targets for two of his Royal Ascot stars – but it's more bad news for Economics Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) UNLUCKY Wokingham runner-up More Thunder could be supplemented for the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket while impressive Royal Ascot victor Merchant may well head to Glorious Goodwood. That's the latest news from William Haggas as he shuffles plans for some of his stable stars, although options remain on hold for Economics as he continues to recover from injury. 1 William Haggas said hugely impressive Royal Ascot winner Merchant could end up in the St Leger at the end of the season Credit: Alamy More Thunder has been an absolute revelation for Haggas, having been trained last term by the now retired Sir Michael Stoute. Just a year ago this month, More Thunder was beaten at Chester over an extended 1m2f. A year on, however, the son of Night of Thunder, owned by Saeed Suhail, has raced solely over 6f, scoring at Newmarket twice before coming from last to second - beaten a head - behind Get It in the Wokingham. He would have won in another stride or two. Haggas told me: "More Thunder could go to Ireland on the 20th for a Group 2 over 7f or he could be supplemented for the July Cup. "We will look at the Group 1 over 7f at York as well. "He was a bit far back and got tangled up in the Wokingham but ran very well." Merchant got a huge form boost over the weekend when Serious Contender, the horse he beat in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot, chased home Lambourn in the Irish Derby. Rated just 90 at Ascot, Merchant will now head into Group races. "The Gordon Stakes looks the most likely target for Merchant," Haggas said. "It's possible he's a St Leger horse. But all options are open. "He could still be a King George contender, and what I can say is he won't come out of that race at the next forfeit. So we will see." Last season's monster Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes victor Economics missed Royal Ascot through injury and has been absent since October of last year when defeated in the Qipco Champion Stakes. Economics is going nowhere for the time being. Haggas said: "As everyone knows he got an injury from which he is recovering but not quickly enough for us. "We are missing big events like Royal Ascot and the Eclipse. "I doubt he will be ready for the Irish Champion so we will be looking at later in the season." On a brighter note, Godwinson might be upped in class for the Group 3 Prix Messidor. Haggas said: "He went up 5lb for winning the Lincoln which was a good prize and another 5lb for winning at Newcastle the other day which was much less money which is not ideal. "But what can you do? I needed to run him and the going on the grass is too firm for him. He might well go to France." In other stable news, Haggas remains bullish about the talent of Lake Forest despite the colt beating only two home in the Criterion at York over the weekend. Lake Forest had been brilliant in Australia back in November, taking the Golden Eagle at Rosehill in terrific fashion from Lazzat, himself a star at Royal Ascot. "We ran Lake Forest too quick," said Haggas. "It was also not a track to come from behind from. It looked like there would be plenty of pace, but the other front runners left Quinault alone - although he did very well - which wasn't good for us. !Lake Forest could go for the Lennox at Glorious Goodwood or the Sussex. !He could easily run second or third in a Sussex. He's a good horse. He's got a lot of ability. !Remember the race he ran at Newmarket as a juvenile in a novice was awful (got beat at 1-3f). Then he came out and won the Gimcrack!" FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
William Haggas tells me next targets for two of his Royal Ascot stars – but it's more bad news for Economics
UNLUCKY Wokingham runner-up More Thunder could be supplemented for the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket while impressive Royal Ascot victor Merchant may well head to Glorious Goodwood. That's the latest news from William Haggas as he shuffles plans for some of his stable stars, although options remain on hold for Economics as he continues to recover from injury. Advertisement 1 William Haggas said hugely impressive Royal Ascot winner Merchant could end up in the St Leger at the end of the season Credit: Alamy More Thunder has been an absolute revelation for Haggas, having been trained last term by the now retired Sir Michael Stoute. Just a year ago this month, More Thunder was beaten at Chester over an extended 1m2f. A year on, however, the son of Night of Thunder, owned by Saeed Suhail, has raced solely over 6f, scoring at Newmarket twice before coming from last to second - beaten a head - behind Get It in the Wokingham. He would have won in another stride or two. Advertisement Haggas told me: "More Thunder could go to Ireland on the 20th for a Group 2 over 7f or he could be supplemented for the July Cup. "We will look at the Group 1 over 7f at York as well. "He was a bit far back and got tangled up in the Wokingham but ran very well." Merchant got a huge form boost over the weekend when Serious Contender, the horse he beat in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot, chased home Lambourn in the Irish Derby. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing Rated just 90 at Ascot, Merchant will now head into Group races. "The Gordon Stakes looks the most likely target for Merchant," Haggas said. "It's possible he's a St Leger horse. But all options are open. "He could still be a King George contender, and what I can say is he won't come out of that race at the next forfeit. So we will see." Advertisement Last season's monster Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes victor Economics missed Royal Ascot through injury and has been absent since October of last year when defeated in the Qipco Champion Stakes. Economics is going nowhere for the time being. Haggas said: "As everyone knows he got an injury from which he is recovering but not quickly enough for us. "We are missing big events like Royal Ascot and the Eclipse. Advertisement "I doubt he will be ready for the Irish Champion so we will be looking at later in the season." On a brighter note, Godwinson might be upped in class for the Group 3 Prix Messidor. Haggas said: "He went up 5lb for winning the Lincoln which was a good prize and another 5lb for winning at Newcastle the other day which was much less money which is not ideal. "But what can you do? I needed to run him and the going on the grass is too firm for him. He might well go to France." Advertisement In other stable news, Haggas remains bullish about the talent of Lake Forest despite the colt beating only two home in the Criterion at York over the weekend. Lake Forest had been brilliant in Australia back in November, taking the Golden Eagle at Rosehill in terrific fashion from Lazzat, himself a star at Royal Ascot. "We ran Lake Forest too quick," said Haggas. "It was also not a track to come from behind from. It looked like there would be plenty of pace, but the other front runners left Quinault alone - although he did very well - which wasn't good for us. Advertisement !Lake Forest could go for the Lennox at Glorious Goodwood or the Sussex. !He could easily run second or third in a Sussex. He's a good horse. He's got a lot of ability. !Remember the race he ran at Newmarket as a juvenile in a novice was awful (got beat at 1-3f). Then he came out and won the Gimcrack!" FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
The Herald Scotland
03-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
More Thunder sparkles under brilliant Marquand ride
Haggas said: 'Tom said he just hit a ridge at the wrong time, but he stayed on well. He felt it was more the track that meant he got there so late rather than the distance. He felt he was plenty fast enough. 'I think something like the Wokingham might be the sensible route at this stage. If we didn't he'd have to go into a stakes race, but at the moment he's still low enough to be competitive in handicaps. 'He did have 3lb less than he should have done today and that would have made all the difference.' Tiger Bay roared home to claim the Oddschecker British EBF Ellen Chaloner Stakes. It looked like William Knight's front-running Frost At Dawn had slipped the field approaching the final furlong, but Henry Candy's 11-1 chance ran on powerfully once Trevor Whelan slipped her into top gear, registering a neck verdict in the Listed event. 'I thought she had plenty to find on ratings, but looking at her there should still be more to come as she hasn't quite come in her coat yet,' said Candy. 'She'll be stepping up to seven furlongs I would have thought, she was taken off her feet there and I didn't think she was going to get there in time. 'The problem is the next seven-furlong race is the Chartwell at Lingfield, but it will come too soon and there aren't many other options so we'll just have to see, she might have to race against the boys.'
