Raaheeb, the impeccably bred son of Sea The Stars, added another impressive performance to his Derby résumé by winning the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown. The colt carries a hefty legacy: he is a full brother to the outstanding Baaeed, who claimed ten victories from eleven starts under William Haggas, and to the high‑class Hukum, who was expertly guided by trainer Owen Burrows to triumph in both the Coronation Cup and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. When Raaheeb broke his maiden over seven furlongs at Ascot in early September, many observers thought he had inherited a substantial portion of his family’s talent.
He proved that judgment correct by stepping up not only in distance but also in class for his three‑year‑old debut, tackling the ten‑furlong Group Three at Sandown with confidence. The race unfolded with Aidan O'Brien’s four‑to‑six favourite, Action, showing signs of reluctance when pressed and ultimately delivering a disappointing effort. In contrast, Raaheeb, trained by Owen Burrows, travelled smoothly throughout the trip. When jockey Rossa Ryan asked him to make his move, the colt responded by pulling away, finishing three and a quarter lengths clear of the nearest challenger, Al Zanati, and the rest of the field.
Burrows was quick to express his surprise at the margin of victory. “Honestly, I thought we’d be happy just to finish in the placings, so to win the way he did was a bit of a shock,” he said. He added that Ryan reported a slight stumble half a furlong from the finish, but praised the way Raaheeb kept his head down and hit the line strongly. The trainer also hinted at the colt’s future prospects.
“He’ll definitely stay, and Rossa thought he quickened again at the finish. I have no hesitation about trying a couple more furlongs. We’ll assess how he comes out of this before deciding on his next target.
He’s listed for the Dante, but that may be a little too soon.” In the broader racing news, Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. At Ascot, Kalpana defeated Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes showdown. Legendary jockey Ryan Moore was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
For the Derby, Benvenuto Cellini will lead a four‑horse Aidan O'Brien contingent at Epsom, while At The Races analyst Kevin Blake has released his picks for Derby day. In a separate story, former jockey Levi Williams was sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a pensioner he punched outside a pub. Burrows reflected on Raaheeb’s performance, noting that even a defeat would not have been a disappointment as long as the colt produced a good race. “It was a steep learning curve today, and we threw him into the deep end to see what he’s made of.
He gave us a very encouraging answer.” Betting markets have already responded, cutting Raaheeb’s odds for the Derby from 20‑1 to 8‑1. Nevertheless, Burrows cautions against rushing a decision. “I’m not ready to commit to Epsom at this stage. We have Ascot and the Irish Derby to consider, so we’ll need to see how he progresses.
I haven’t seen a three‑year‑old with his combination of maturity and potential yet – he’s already looking better than Hukum was at this point in his career. That’s exciting.” He also mentioned a moment of behavioural oddity at the stalls, where the colt reared, describing it as “a bit out of character.” Burrows hopes it was merely a burst of fresh energy rather than a sign of deeper issues, especially as the team weighs the Derby against other targets.
“It’s an important horse, and we have to get the planning right. His brother improved at six, so we don’t want to make a mistake. He’s probably ahead of where Hukum was at the same stage, but we must be patient and make the right choices for his development.” Overall, Raaheeb’s Sandown triumph has not only reinforced his own reputation but also highlighted the depth of talent in his family.
With a strong pedigree, a proven ability to handle longer distances, and a trainer who is clearly attentive to his development, the colt now stands as a serious contender for the classic races ahead. Whether he heads to the Dante, the Derby, or another major contest, the racing community will be watching closely to see how this promising three‑year‑old continues to unfold his potential.