Most-backed horse in the world this year stung punters for at least £800,000 with shock defeat
THE most backed horse in the world this year stung punters for at least £800,000 – after suffering a shock loss.
Nearly a million quid was staked on until-then unbeaten superstar Baaeed – the highest-rated turf horse for a decade – in the Champion Stakes at Ascot last month.
That was on the mega-money World Pool alone, where some 26 countries bet into one giant pool via the Tote rather than with an individual bookie.
The total sum lost on Baaeed almost certainly extends into the millions when all the UK sportsbooks are taken into account too.
Baaeed was a perfect ten-from-ten going into the 1m2f Group 1 race and sent off 1-4.
But the all-conquering miler found nothing off the bridle and finished fourth.
Bay Bridge was the 10-1 winner, picking up £737,230 for trainer Sir Michael Stoute and jockey Richard Kingscote.
Former Derby hero Adayar came second at 6-1 while My Prospero rounded out the places at a mega 22-1.
Most read in Horse Racing
OFFERS OF THE DAY
William Hill: Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as cash if it loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 on Racing and get £30 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 13.04.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook. Further terms apply. Begambleaware.org
Betfair – Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any market at odds of min 2.0 (EVS) and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: New customers only. First single & e/w bet only odds of 1/1 or greater. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets only redeemable on horse racing. Free bets are non withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further t&cs apply.
Ladbrokes: 18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £/€5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £/€5 free bets. Free bets available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Coral: Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
A shell-shocked Jim Crowley said after the contest that the ground was William Haggas’ stable star’s undoing.
He said: “I pressed the button today and it wasn’t there.
“It’s unbelievable the journey we have been on.
“He is a very special horse and it is sad that he does not finish his career unbeaten as we have come so far.”
It doesn’t look like the shock defeat affected Baaeed’s worth at stud, however.
Shadwell announced today that the son of Sea The Stars will command a £80,000 fee in his first year as a stallion.
Stephen Collins, European bloodstock manager for Shadwell, said: “Baaeed’s fee reflects his current status as the champion turf horse in the world for 2022 and also his impeccable race record and superb pedigree, being a direct descendant of Height Of Fashion, the dam of top-class performers Nashwan, Nayef and Unfuwain.
“The 135-rated Baaeed is a wonderful addition to the Shadwell stallion roster and we have been inundated with enquiries for nominations.
“We have been overwhelmed with the response from breeders from all over Europe and further a-field.”
The total World Pool turnover was £667million with just under £180m coming during Royal Ascot alone.
PABaaeed was the biggest loser of the year for punters, with the total figure staked and lost on Baaeed almost certainly exceeding into the millions[/caption]
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
Never chases their losses
Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
