Raaheeb, the impeccably bred son of Sea The Stars, added another impressive chapter to his Derby campaign with a commanding performance in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown. The colt, a full brother to the outstanding Baaeed—who won ten of his eleven starts under the guidance of William Haggas—and the high‑class Hukum, who was expertly trained by Owen Burrows to claim victories in both the Coronation Cup and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, carries a heavy pedigree and high expectations.
From his debut over seven furlongs at Ascot in early September, Raaheeb displayed a clear inheritance of his family’s ability. He handled the shorter trip with ease and then stepped up dramatically in distance and class for his three‑year‑old debut over ten furlongs in this Group Three contest. The transition proved seamless; the young horse settled comfortably, responded well to his jockey, and showed the stamina required for the longer distance. The race itself unfolded with Aidan O'Brien’s highly fancied favourite, Action, showing signs of reluctance when pressed by the field.
Action ultimately failed to live up to his 4‑6 odds, leaving a vacuum at the front that Raaheeb was eager to fill. Guided by Rossa Ryan, the Burrows‑trained colt travelled smoothly through the early stages, staying relaxed and conserving energy. As the field turned into the home straight, Ryan asked for an effort, and Raaheeb surged forward, pulling away to win by three and a quarter lengths over the chasing pack, which was led by Al Zanati.
After the race, trainer Owen Burrows expressed his surprise and delight: "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. Rossa said he took a blow half a furlong out, but I loved the way he got his head down and hit the line strong." Burrows added that the colt showed a willingness to stay longer, noting that Rossa felt Raaheeb quickened again at the finish. "I would have no qualms about adding 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," he said. The victory sparked a flurry of media coverage, with Sky Sports Racing highlighting the result alongside other racing news, interviews, and features. The win also prompted bookmakers to adjust Raaheeb’s odds for the Derby, cutting them from 20‑1 to 8‑1, although Burrows indicated that they would prefer to let the dust settle before making any firm commitments about the Epsom classic. Burrows elaborated on his cautious approach: "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 with as much promise as this one at this stage—he’s better than Hukum was at this point in his career.
It’s exciting." He also mentioned a moment of unexpected behavior at the stalls, where Raaheeb reared, describing it as "a bit out of character" but hoping it was merely a burst of freshness rather than a sign of deeper issues. "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 emphasized the importance of careful planning for such a talented horse.
"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. Raaheeb’s lineage, performance, and the strategic decisions surrounding his campaign have generated considerable buzz within the racing community. His full brother Baaeed has already established a reputation as a near‑flawless performer, while Hukum’s triumphs in two of Britain’s most prestigious weight‑for‑age races underscore the quality of the family. Raaheeb’s Sandown win, achieved with composure and a decisive turn of foot, suggests he could follow a similar trajectory, potentially becoming a leading contender for the Derby, the Irish Derby, or even the Dante Stakes later in the season.
The race itself was part of a broader day of notable stories. Hollie Doyle discussed the role of Thunder Call in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, while Jamie Lynch’s five horses were highlighted as international stars to watch. Other headlines included former Premier League striker Kevin Doyle’s pursuit of Cheltenham Festival glory, Kalpana’s victory over Caledangan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and Ryan Moore’s receipt of an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Additionally, Benvenuto Cellini led a four‑strong Aidan O'Brien team for the Epsom Classic, underscoring the depth of talent in the current generation. In summary, Raaheeb’s performance at Sandown not only reinforced his own credentials but also added another compelling narrative to a family already steeped in racing excellence. With his trainer’s measured approach and the colt’s evident ability to handle both distance and pressure, the upcoming months promise to be pivotal in determining whether Raaheeb can translate his early promise into classic glory.
The racing world will be watching closely as his connections weigh options, balance ambition with prudence, and aim to place this stylishly bred horse on a path that could see him emulate, or even surpass, the achievements of his illustrious siblings.