William Haggas 2025 Season preview update

With no entries this week it looks like the William Haggas season will be kick started by 3 horses from the yard that will be campaigned in Australia during the Autumn Carnival period March – April.

William Haggas Runners in Australia (2015–2025)

1. Addeybb
   • Race: Ranvet Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) – Rosehill
     • Date: March 21, 2020
     • Result: 1st (defeated Verry Elleegant)
   • Race: Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) – Randwick
     • Date: April 11, 2020
     • Result: 1st (defeated Verry Elleegant and Danon Premium)
   • Race: Ranvet Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) – Rosehill
     • Date: March 27, 2021
     • Result: 2nd (behind Verry Elleegant)
   • Race: Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) – Randwick
     • Date: April 17, 2021
     • Result: 1st (defeated Verry Elleegant)
   • Summary Addeybb is Haggas’ most successful Australian runner, winning three Group 1 races across two Sydney autumn carnivals. His victories in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2020 and 2021 highlight his dominance on wet tracks.
2. Young Rascal
   • Race: Manion Cup (Group 3, 2400m) – Rosehill
     • Date: March 23, 2020
     • Result: 2nd
   • Race: Sydney Cup (Group 1, 3200m) – Randwick
     • Date: April 13, 2020
     • Result: 7th
   • Summary Young Rascal was sent to Australia in 2020 as part of Haggas’ growing interest in the Sydney autumn carnival, though he didn’t secure a win under Haggas name he won first time out for new trainer Archie Alexandra under Tom Marquand at 13/2.
3. Dubai Honour
   • Race: Ranvet Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) – Rosehill
     • Date: March 18, 2023
     • Result: 1st
   • Race: Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Group 1, 2000m) – Randwick
     • Date: April 8, 2023
     • Result: 2nd (behind Anamoe)
   • Summary: Dubai Honour followed a similar path to Addeybb, targeting the Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2023. He won the former and was narrowly beaten in the latter.
4. Purplepay
   • Race: Coolmore Classic (Group 1, 1500m) – Rosehill
     • Date: March 11, 2023
     • Result: Unplaced
   • Summary: Purplepay was aimed at the fillies’ route during the 2023 Sydney autumn carnival but didn’t make a significant impact.
5. Earl Of Tyrone
   • injured in Australia – Non runner
   • Summary: Part of Haggas’ 2023 quartet,
6. Protagonist
   • Race:
     • Date: Australian Autumn 2023 (arrived February 25, 2023)
     • Result: Won Group 3 at Rosehill ridden by James Macdonald

He also sent Lake Forest over to Australia in November

” William Haggas’s incredible recent record in Australia reached a new high on Saturday when Lake Forest stormed home to win the James Squire Golden Eagle at Rosehill.

Lake Forest had just three rivals behind him when entering the home bend, but found a new gear in the final furlong to swoop home down the rail to land the spoils at 18-1 by half a length from Maurice de Gheest winner Lazzat.”

I will keep up to date with the 2025 contingent and the prospects of Dubai Honour. Al Mubhir and Desert Hero as they prepare for their target races over the next 20 days.

With nothing doing this week another couple of horses to follow for the upcoming season – I’ve gone for a dark one and a potential group horse transferred from the Michael Stoute team following his retirement.

Half Moon Bay 3yo gelding by New Bay.

At face value the gelding was disappointing in 3 runs lat season , not reaching the frame but showing promise in the first 2, especially on the 2nd outing when he was the subject of a big gamble from 11/2 into 9/4 at Salisbury. The winner that day Square D’Alboni went onto to win a listed race on the bridle next time out and is a 100+ 3yo with Ralph Beckett. Not given a hard time when unable to go with the winner Half Moon Bay immediately went into my notebook. It is extremely rare for a 2yo from the yard to be heavily gambled in this way without them showing significant improvement at home from their first race.

On his next outing in a hot Newcastle Novice race Ceiron Fallon went too fast too soon ( it is weakness of his riding ) when making the running and he eventually finished well beaten by 12 lengths. That run can be ignored but hopefully not be the handicapper who may hand him a rating in the low 70’s as a consequence.

By no means a star – but the money for him in that hot Salisbury novice suggests this is a horse capable of competing in the high eighties and he is one to watch.

Archivist 3yo colt by Dubawi out of Provenance

A full brother to the 109 rated New Kingdom much was expected by the Stoute team as he was well backed on his last 3 outings finishing runner up on each occasion. He lost little in defeat as the ground was either Soft or Heavy which on breeding is very unlikely to bring out the best in him.

He starts the season off a mark of 86 and he could potentially start the season as a ‘group horse running in a handicap. If he goes for a Class 2 handicap over 7f or 1m handicap i will be backing him as soon as the markets open.

This two can be added to my other Haggas horses to follow. The list is

Almeraq 3yo Colt

Realign 3yo colt

Treasure Time 4yo gelding