Leading Flat trainer William Haggas has put himself back into the mix for the 2024 Trainers’ Championship following one of his best Glorious Goodwood weeks. The Lambourn-based trainer had two major winners in the UK and a Group success in France.
Haggas has hit form at exactly the right time this summer, with York’s Ebor Meeting and Doncaster’s St Leger Meeting still to come. He will be hoping to carry that form into those fixtures.
Al Aasy and Approval Prove Their Class
Despite being the oldest horse in the race, Al Aasy was too strong for his rivals in the Group Three Glorious Stakes. It was his fifth victory at the level in his career and his first triumph at Goodwood.
Haggas’ gelding was once a close second in the Group One Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs, and this latest win may convince his connections to have another shot at the highest level this season. He scooped just over £56,000 in prize money for his trainer in the race on the final day of Glorious Goodwood.
Earlier in the week at the Sussex-venue, Approval won a class two handicap which was worth over £50,000. It was his second victory in three starts, with success also coming in a novice race at Windsor.
The three-year-old gelding could now get the chance to tackle a pattern race later in the campaign. Haggas will be considering sending his horse to York for their four-day Ebor Meeting.
Klondike Showed the Depth of Stable
Four-year-old colt Klondike began the season in handicap company at York, but he has risen to Group level, with his first Group Three victory coming at Deauville in the Prix de Reux. It was a triumph that showcased the depth Haggas has in his Somerville Lodge stables.
Klondike landed our second Group win of the weekend by winning the Prix de Reux (Gr 3) under jockey Christophe Soumillon
Congratulations to his owners Nick Jonsson, John Magnier, Tabor, Fittocks Stud & his regular rider Colm.
Our team has made us proud this weekend #SL pic.twitter.com/gu6juS1ixF
— Somerville Lodge Stables (@WilliamHaggas) August 5, 2024Klondike was ridden by Belgian rider Christophe Soumillon. He beat a strong field of French horses, including Sacred Spirit and Mont De Soleil, scoring by a length. The Deauville winner has entries in the Ballyroan Stakes and Ebor Handicap later this season, so he could be set to land his trainer more lucrative prize money.
Support From Big Owners
Haggas has a range of different owners which support his training operation, including major owning operation Shadwell Racing. They have ensured he has horses that are competitive in the biggest races in Europe.
Treasure Time prevails from Jungle Mac in an exciting finish to the Newmarket Equine Hospital Supports @Racingwelfare Handicap for @CierenFallonJr3 and @WilliamHaggas @RaceShare pic.twitter.com/dFnyw2lKLM
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) June 22, 2024The former Derby winner is also one of the trainers at RaceShare, as he looks after Treasure Time for the syndicate. You can buy shares in a racehorse today, including Treasure Time, who has already tasted success at Newmarket this season. All the costs are included in your shares, so there are no additional fees, unlike sole ownership of a horse.
With the support of a wide range of owners, it gives Haggas the chance to try and compete with the likes of Aidan O’Brien, Andrew Balding and John and Thady Gosden in the British Flat Trainers’ Championship standings this season. He is already over the £2 million prize money mark, and his target will be to reach at least 100 winners by the end of the campaign.
The 2024 Flat season ends on British Champions Day this year on the 19th of October, after which the Trainers’ Championship title will be handed out to the winner.
