Raaheeb, the impeccably bred son of Sea The Stars, added another impressive chapter to his burgeoning Derby résumé with a commanding performance in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown. The colt, a full brother to the brilliant Baaeed—who won ten of his eleven starts for trainer William Haggas—and to the high‑class Hukum, who was expertly guided by Owen Burrows to triumph in both the Coronation Cup and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, now carries the weight of an illustrious family legacy.
From the outset of his career, Raaheeb displayed the hallmarks of his distinguished lineage. He broke his maiden over seven furlongs at Ascot in early September, handling the distance with ease and showing a turn of foot that hinted at greater things to come. That early success set the stage for a bold step up in both distance and class as a three‑year‑old, when he was entered in the ten‑furlong Group Three Classic Trial at Sandown.
The race itself unfolded as a test of stamina and temperament. Aidan O'Brien’s highly fancied Action, sent off at 4‑6, appeared hesitant when the pace intensified and ultimately failed to deliver a performance worthy of his odds. In contrast, Raaheeb, under the steady hands of jockey Rossa Ryan, settled comfortably in the early stages.
As the field turned into the home straight, Ryan asked the colt to accelerate, and Raaheeb responded with a powerful, sustained run that saw him pull clear of the pursuing pack by three and a quarter lengths. The runner‑up, Al Zanati, could not match the momentum that Raaheeb generated in the final furlongs.
Trainer Owen Burrows could hardly conceal his surprise at the magnitude of the victory. "To be honest, I came here today thinking that if we finished in the frame I would be pleased, so to win the way he did surprised me a little," he admitted. He praised Ryan’s ride, noting that the jockey reported a slight stumble half a furlong from the finish, yet Raaheeb kept his head down and hit the line with vigor.
Burrows added, "He’ll definitely stay, and Rossa thought he quickened again at the finish and hit the line strong. I would have no qualms about going 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 win immediately sparked conversation about the colt's future targets. Bookmakers responded by shortening his odds for the Derby from 20‑1 to 8‑1, reflecting the growing belief that he could be a serious contender at Epsom. However, Burrows cautioned against premature commitments. "I don't want to commit to Epsom at this stage," he said, "there's Ascot and then the Irish Derby, so we will have to see.
I don’t think I’ve had one as good as this three‑year‑old wise and not with his potential at this stage – he’s better than Hukum was at this stage. It's exciting." Burrows also noted an unusual moment at the starting stalls, where Raaheeb reared up—a behavior out of character for the colt.
He speculated that the incident might simply have been a burst of youthful energy, but acknowledged that any sign of nervousness must be weighed carefully when planning a Derby campaign. "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 would it be a smidgen too soon, but we'll wait and see," Burrows explained.
The trainer underscored the strategic nature of his decisions, drawing parallels to his brother’s development. Hukum only truly blossomed at six years old, and Burrows is determined not to repeat any missteps. "He's an important horse and we have to make sure we get it right. 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," he concluded. Beyond the immediate implications for the Derby, Raaheeb’s Sandown triumph adds depth to the narrative of Sea The Stars’ progeny. The sire has produced a string of elite performers, and Raaheeb’s ability to step up in distance while maintaining a sharp turn of foot reinforces the versatility that has become a hallmark of the bloodline.
The colt’s pedigree, combined with his own demonstrated tenacity, suggests a potential for success not only over the classic mile‑and‑a‑half distance but also in longer staying contests. Looking ahead, the connections are likely to target the Dante Stakes at York, a traditional Derby trial that offers a further test of stamina and class.
If Raaheeb can replicate his Sandown form, he will enter the Dante as one of the leading contenders, and a strong performance there could cement his status as a top‑tier classic hopeful. Alternatively, a carefully planned run in the Irish Derby could provide a different route to the Epsom classic, allowing the trainer to gauge the colt’s adaptability to varying ground conditions and race dynamics. In summary, Raaheeb’s victory at Sandown was more than a simple win; it was a statement of intent from a young horse carrying the weight of a distinguished family and the expectations of a trainer who knows how to nurture talent. With his pedigree, early racing record, and the confidence shown by his connections, Raaheeb is poised to be a key figure in the upcoming classic season, and racing enthusiasts will be watching closely as his story unfolds.