Raaheeb, a meticulously bred son of Sea The Stars, added another impressive chapter to his Derby résumé with a commanding performance in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown. The colt carries the weight of a distinguished pedigree: he is a full brother to the outstanding Baaeed, who won ten of his eleven starts under the tutelage of William Haggas, and to the elite Hukum, a horse that Owen Burrows guided to triumphs in both the Coronation Cup and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
From the outset of his career, Raaheeb hinted that he had inherited a substantial portion of his family’s talent. He broke his maiden over seven furlongs at Ascot in early September, displaying a blend of speed and composure that suggested he could handle a step up in both distance and class. That promise was fully realised when he made his three‑year‑old debut in the ten‑furlong Group Three contest at Sandown, a race that would test his stamina and maturity.
The betting market had placed Aidan O'Brien’s Action, a 4‑to‑6 favourite, as the horse to beat. However, Action appeared hesitant when pressed by his rivals and ultimately failed to deliver the performance expected of a top‑class contender.
In contrast, Raaheeb settled comfortably throughout the race, responding smoothly when jockey Rossa Ryan asked him to accelerate. He surged ahead, pulling clear by three and a quarter lengths from the nearest challenger, Al Zanati, and left the field trailing in his wake. After the race, trainer Owen Burrows expressed his surprise at the margin of victory.
“Honestly, I thought finishing inside the placings would be satisfactory, so winning as decisively as he did caught me a little off guard,” Burrows said. He added that Rossa Ryan reported a slight stumble half a furlong from the finish, yet praised the colt’s ability to lower his head and finish strongly. Burrows noted, “He’ll definitely stay, and Rossa said he quickened again at the line. I have no hesitation about adding a couple of furlongs to his optimum distance.
We’ll assess how he comes out of this before plotting his next target. He’s slated for the Dante, but that might be a touch early.” The win has already sparked conversation about Raaheeb’s future classic prospects.
Bookmakers have responded by shortening his odds for the Derby to 8‑to‑1 from 20‑to‑1, though Burrows cautioned that he prefers to let the dust settle before committing to Epsom. He mentioned alternative routes, including a possible run at Ascot or a campaign targeting the Irish Derby, emphasizing the need for patience. "I don’t think I’ve seen a three‑year‑old with as much raw ability at this stage, certainly not one with his pedigree and potential. He’s already looking better than Hukum was at this point in his career, and that’s exciting," Burrows said.
Burrows also addressed a minor behavioural quirk observed at the start of the race, where Raaheeb reared in the stalls – a departure from his usual calm demeanor. He hopes it was simply a burst of youthful energy rather than a sign of deeper issues, noting that the colt has never displayed such restlessness before. "That’s something that lingers in the back of your mind when you’re weighing a Derby entry. It could be a smidgen too soon, but we’ll monitor it closely," he added.
The trainer underscored the importance of strategic planning for a horse of Raaheeb’s calibre. "He’s an important horse, and we have to get it right.
His brother Baaeed improved markedly at six, so we don’t want to rush him. We need to give him the time and conditions to develop fully," Burrows explained. He reiterated that while the colt appears ahead of Hukum at this stage, the ultimate goal is to nurture his talent responsibly, ensuring he peaks at the right moment for the season’s biggest targets. Raaheeb’s victory also dovetails with a broader narrative of promising three‑year‑olds emerging across the flat racing scene.
Recent headlines include Bow Echo securing his first classic win in the 2000 Guineas for trainer Billy Loughnane, Night Raider taking the Palace House Stakes for Karl Burke, and Hollie Doyle highlighting Paris Babe as her top pick for the 2000 Guineas day. Meanwhile, Sky Sports Racing continues to spotlight upcoming talent, with features on French Derby entrants Dolmalan and Montreal, as well as predictions for the flat horses to watch in 2026. As the season progresses, Raaheeb’s connections will weigh the options of a Dante trial, a possible Ascot run, or an early foray into the Irish Derby.
The colt’s blend of speed, stamina, and a pedigree that boasts multiple classic winners makes him a compelling prospect for any of the premier middle‑distance contests. For now, his Sandown triumph serves as a clear indicator that he possesses the class and temperament to compete at the highest level, and racing enthusiasts will be keenly watching his next steps as the road to the Derby and beyond unfolds.