HOMEBRED BAY BRIDGE STAGES UPSET IN CHAMPION STAKES

BAAEED (GB) was unable to round out his sparkling career with a win in the Group 1 QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot Racecourse on QIPCO British Champions Day, and it was instead BAY BRIDGE (GB) who took the honours, holding off a persistent ADAYAR through the final stages of the 1 mile 2 furlong contest.

In doing so, Bay Bridge capped a memorable season for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, who also hit headlines back in June when winning the Group 1 Derby with DESERT CROWN (GB).

Bay Bridge was bred by co-owner James Wigan's breeding operation, London Thoroughbred Services Ltd. The horse is owned in partnership with Ballylinch Stud, who stand the sire NEW BAY (GB).

Speaking with GBRI after the race, Wigan reflected:

“He has always been a very nice horse. A lovely natured horse and always incredibly handsome.

“At Sandown we realised he was a good horse. Ryan said ‘you’ve got something special here’. Then he got a little injury in the Eclipse and so he’s had to have time off.

“Michael’s been very patient with him and always said this is the race to go for. I said ‘well, what about the Irish race’, and he said ‘no, he needs more time’. I said ‘well, Baaeed is going to that race’ and he said ‘no, that’s the race you want to go for’.

“It's fantastic.”