Haggas team to see year out in style…

2025 year has been a roller coaster season for the Somerville Lodge team.

A record in terms of winners and successful targets landed in the major handicaps offset by after a great start by Dubai Honour in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes a very disappointing return from the International runners, who suffered a series of misfortunes, and no additional Group 1 victories.

The 2yo’s seemed slow to come to hand, which explains the good run they have achieved on the artificial surfaces in November and December. With the powerhouses of Appleby and Gosden even more successful, the competition for 2026 will be as tough as ever.

In terms of our returns its been a par season, which promised to be very good but suffered through missing out on a couple of the big end of season handicap winners and taking a back seat as the 2yo’s started to hit peak form in the late Autumn

The yard will be represented at the AW meetings right through until New Years Eve and into 2026.

Most interesting is the reappearance of the impressive Kempton winner Aeolion at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day. The half sister to Desert Hero owned by the King and Queen broke her maiden tag in a messy Newmarket maiden in mid summer. She appeared to be flattered by that performance, running poorly in a Listed race at York and also then disappointing in 2 Class 4 handicaps.

As a result, she looked to be headed for the Horses in Training Sales in October, only to be withdrawn with connections deciding she merited further time.

That faith was rewarded, albeit with an element of surprise, when on her first attempt on the AW she bolted in by just under 3l, showing a great turn of foot to beat the well backed Hinchinbrooke. That form has been boosted by the runner up and the 7lb rise in her mark to 90 and up in grade to a Class2 does not look enough to stop her now she has strengthened up.

The step up in trip should also add to her chances.

The 7/4 on offer looks plenty short enough but i suspect she will still be well supported. If i can get 2/1 i will have a 2pt win bet.

Thanks for all the kind words, and follows in 2026 it promises to be highly succesful, as we join forces with a Consortium that have achieved results that i didn’t think were possible. More details to follow in the New Year.

Russ Hag Tag 2025