Raaheeb, the impeccably bred son of Sea The Stars, added another impressive chapter to his growing Derby résumé with a dominant performance in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown. The colt, already burdened with high expectations thanks to his illustrious siblings, proved he could shoulder the family legacy with aplomb.
As a full brother to the extraordinary Baaeed—who won ten of his eleven starts under the tutelage of William Haggas—and to the top‑class Hukum, who was expertly guided by Raaheeb’s trainer Owen Burrows to triumph in both the Coronation Cup and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Raaheeb entered Sandown with a pedigree that practically guarantees attention from racing enthusiasts. The lineage alone suggested a blend of speed, stamina, and tactical versatility, traits that have become hallmarks of the Sea The Stars family.
Raaheeb first hinted at inheriting this blend of ability when he broke his maiden over seven furlongs at Ascot in early September. That win, while modest in distance, displayed a turn of foot and composure beyond his years. When the time came to test him over a longer trip and against stronger opposition, his connections stepped him up to a 10‑furlong Group Three contest—a significant jump in both class and stamina requirements for a three‑year‑old making his seasonal debut.
The race itself unfolded with a clear narrative. Aidan O'Brien’s highly fancied Action, the 4‑6 favourite, appeared hesitant when the pace quickened, ultimately delivering a performance that fell short of expectations. In stark contrast, Raaheeb settled comfortably, travelled kindly through the field, and responded with authority when Rossa Ryan asked him to accelerate.
The colt surged ahead, pulling away to win by three and a quarter lengths, leaving the nearest challenger, Al Zanati, trailing in his wake. After the race, trainer Owen Burrows expressed genuine surprise at the margin of victory. "To be honest, I came here today thinking if we finished in the frame I would be pleased, so to win like he did surprised me a little," Burrows admitted. He praised Ryan’s riding, noting that the jockey reported a brief stumble half a furlong from the finish, yet Raaheeb recovered swiftly, kept his head down, and hit the line with renewed vigor.
Burrows added, "He’ll definitely stay, and Rossa thought he quickened up again at the finish and hit the line strong. I would have no qualms about taking him another couple of furlongs.
We'll see how he comes out of this before we decide when we run again. He's in the Dante, but that could come a bit quick." The victory sparked a flurry of media commentary.
Sky Sports Racing highlighted the result alongside other notable stories, such as Bow Echo’s classic win in the 2000 Guineas for trainer Billy Loughnane, Night Raider’s Palace House Stakes triumph for Karl Burke, and Hollie Doyle’s blog post praising Paris Babe as her top pick for the 2000 Guineas day. The platform also previewed upcoming French Derby contenders Dolmalan and Montreal, and offered a look ahead to the 2026 flat racing season.
Betting markets reacted quickly, cutting Raaheeb’s Derby odds to 8‑1 from 20‑1, though Burrows cautioned against rushing a decision. He explained, "I don't want to commit to Epsom at this stage; there’s Ascot and then the Irish Derby, so we will have to see. I don’t think I’ve seen a three‑year‑old as good as this one, wise and with his potential at this stage—he’s better than Hukum was at this stage.
It's exciting." Burrows also noted an unusual behavior at the starting stalls, where Raaheeb reared up—a departure from his typical composure. He speculated that this might have been a burst of nervous energy rather than a sign of deeper issues, adding, "The way he acted at the stalls (rearing) was a bit out of character and I’m hoping that was just a bit of freshness coming out of him because he’s not shown that. That’s there in the back of your mind when you’re considering the Derby and whether it might be a smidge too soon, but we’ll wait and see." The trainer emphasized the importance of careful planning, drawing parallels with his brother’s development. "His brother got better at six, so we don’t want to do the wrong thing.
He’s probably better than Hukum was at this stage, but we need to get it right," Burrows concluded. Looking ahead, the connections have a few options.
The Dante Stakes at York, a traditional Derby trial, remains on the agenda, though Burrows hinted that the timing might be tight. Alternatively, a run in the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot could provide a less demanding step up in distance while still testing the colt’s stamina.
The Irish Derby at the Curragh also offers a tempting target, especially if the team wishes to gauge Raaheeb against the best of his generation on softer ground. Beyond the immediate race plans, Raaheeb’s pedigree suggests a bright future both on the track and later at stud. Should he continue to develop and perhaps secure a classic win, his value as a sire would be significant, adding another chapter to the Sea The Stars dynasty. For now, his Sandown triumph serves as a clear indicator that the family’s racing excellence is far from exhausted, and that Raaheeb is poised to become a central figure in the upcoming classic season.