Raaheeb, a meticulously bred offspring of the celebrated Sea The Stars line, added another impressive chapter to his growing Derby résumé with a commanding performance in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown. The young colt, already carrying the weight of high expectations as a full brother to the outstanding Baaeed—who notched ten wins from eleven starts under the guidance of William Haggas—and to the elite performer Hukum, who was expertly trained by Owen Burrows to capture both the Coronation Cup and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, proved that the family’s talent runs deep. His early career hinted at this inherited ability when he debuted over seven furlongs at Ascot in early September, cruising to victory with ease. That win suggested he possessed the speed and temperament to step up in distance, and the Sandown Group Three test over ten furlongs confirmed it.
In his three‑year‑old debut, Raaheeb was asked to stretch his stamina and face a higher class of opposition, and he rose to the occasion without showing any signs of strain. The race itself unfolded with Aidan O'Brien’s four‑to‑six favourite Action appearing hesitant when the pace quickened, ultimately delivering a performance that fell short of expectations.
By contrast, Raaheeb, under the steady hands of jockey Rossa Ryan, settled comfortably, responded well when asked to accelerate, and surged ahead to win by three and a quarter lengths. He pulled away from a chasing pack led by Al Zanati, demonstrating a blend of speed, power, and composure that left spectators and connections alike impressed. After the race, trainer Owen Burrows expressed genuine surprise at the magnitude of the win. "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 said.
He praised Ryan’s ride, noting that the jockey reported a brief stumble half a furlong from the finish, yet Raaheeb recovered quickly, kept his head down, and hit the line strongly. 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 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 victory sparked a flurry of media coverage, with headlines ranging from Kevin Doyle’s story about a former Premier League striker chasing Cheltenham glory to updates on other racing stars such as Kalpana’s win at Ascot and Ryan Moore’s recent MBE honour.
While these side notes added colour to the racing news cycle, the focus remained firmly on Raaheeb’s promising future. Bookmakers quickly adjusted their odds, cutting Raaheeb’s price to 8‑1 from 20‑1 for the Derby, though Burrows cautioned against rushing into a decision.
"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," he explained. He praised the colt’s maturity, saying, "I don’t think I’ve seen a three‑year‑old as good as this at this stage—he’s better than Hukum was at this point in his career. It’s exciting." Burrows did note a small behavioural quirk at the start, where Raaheeb reared in the stalls, an unusual move for the colt.
He hopes this was merely a burst of nervous energy rather than a sign of deeper issues, especially as the Derby demands composure under pressure. "The way he acted at the stalls 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 before. That’s in the back of your mind when you’re considering the Derby and whether it might be a smidgen too soon, but we’ll wait and see," Burrows added. The trainer emphasised the importance of careful planning, referencing his brother’s development, which peaked at six years old.
"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," Burrows concluded. Looking ahead, Raaheeb’s connections are weighing options. The Dante Stakes at York, a traditional Derby trial, remains on the agenda, but the timing will be critical to ensure the colt continues to develop without being over‑raced. If he maintains his current form, his blend of speed, stamina, and a calm temperament could make him a genuine contender for the Epsom Classic.
Moreover, his pedigree—combining Sea The Stars’ brilliance with the proven success of his full brothers—offers a compelling narrative for owners, trainers, and punters alike. In summary, Raaheeb’s Sandown triumph not only reinforced his own credentials but also highlighted the depth of talent within his family. With a strong finish, a versatile racing style, and a trainer who is keen to manage his progression wisely, the colt stands poised to become one of the standout three‑year‑olds of the season.
Whether he heads straight to the Derby or takes another preparatory run, the racing world will be watching closely, eager to see if he can translate his promising start into classic glory.