First Haggas trained son of Baaeed entered – as Somerville Lodge 2yo’s get started.

The week started with a terrific race between Tenability and Hamish who gave William Haggas a 1-2 in the Listed Tapster stakes at Goodwood with the younger stablemate just prevailing in a thrilling contest. Hamish proved there are more races in him even at the age of 10. Tenability continues to go up the ranks and travelled superbly through the race he is a Group race winner in waiting on faster ground.

Earlier in the afternoon the highly promising 3rd place by Bulletsnap at Goodwood on Sunday was an encouraging start for the Somerville Lodge 2yo’s.

The son of Minzaal has a pedigree and an action that suggested the soft ground at Goodwood on Sunday was very much to his liking. His future plans will be based on finding suitable conditions.

A quick glance at the form of 2yo’s running from Somerville Lodge in June over the last 5 years provides the perfect explanation for the fact we are unlikely to back any Juveniles running from the yard in June:

• June 2025 – 5 runners 0 Wins
• June 2024 – 16 runners 0 Wins
• June 2023 – 10 winners 3 Wins
• June 2022 – 6 runners 2 Wins
• June 2021 – 9 runners 2 Wins

Bulletsnap was the first 2yo to run in June 2026 and was the 22nd consecutive juvenile to run in the month without success. Over the past 5 years from 47 runners the 7 wins resulted in a loss of over 17pts to level stakes.

It is no surprise and is completely in line with the way the juveniles are trained. If a 2yo does win first time out this early in the season there is every chance they will develop into very useful horses. Two that did were Desert Hero and Lake Forest.

There are a few 2yo’s entered this week and it will, as always, be of great interest to watch this years batch progress – none more so Al Salal who will be the first son of of Baaeed to run under the Haggas name, if taking up one of his entries this week.

By the unraced Frankel mare Above the Storm, It is a pedigree that suggests the colt will have plenty of stamina and the races at Newbury and Sandown over an extended 6f and 7f will provide an interesting test.

Although, the focus will be on Royal Ascot next week there are some very useful horses from the yard due to run over the next 7 days starting with Bayaann on Monday and concluding with Lilt in Sunday’s Prix de Diane.

REFA Hag Tag 2026

Lilt heads for the Prix de Diane on Sunday.