RacingBetter News |
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Tuesday 18th October 2022 | |
Three Best Performances of The Flat Season
The 2022 Flat season has been a memorable one in the sport, with several performances which will long live in the memory of horse racing fans.
Here is a look back at that year at the three highlights of the campaign in Europe.
Alpinista – Arc
Sir Mark Prescott’s mare Alpinista won all eight of her races in 2022, six of those were at Group One level. Her latest success came in the premier middle-distance contest in Europe, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The five-year-old came up against a strong field at Longchamp in Paris but she proved how good she was with a stunning performance to end the season on a high.
Alpinista’s jockey Luke Morris remained on the bridle with two furlongs to go when many of her rivals were under pressure. Once Morris asked his horse to quicken, she had all the answers, despite the ground being tested.Prescott’s talented mare is the 10/1 joint-favourite in the horse racing betting to retain her crown in the Arc in 2023. She is expected to remain in training, and if that proves to be the case, she will be the one to beat in all the major 1m4f races next season when it comes to racing tips.
Brilliant mare! Alpinista is amazing in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for Sir Mark Prescott and @Luke_Morris88! @paris_longchamp #QPAT pic.twitter.com/moHLxIgtS3
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 2, 2022
Trueshan – Northumberland Plate
Trueshan once again ended the season with success in the Long Distance Cup on British Champions Day. However, it was his victory in the Northumberland Plate which was his most impressive in 2022.
Alan King’s runner missed out on the Ascot Gold Cup due to unsuitable ground. It led to her connections entering their horse in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in one of the most lucrative handicap races of the year.
Trueshan was forced to carry a top weight of 10st 8lb, which was 19lb more than any other horse in the contest. Despite that disadvantage, the six-year-old got up late on to win the AW contest by just under a length.
In the 189-year history of the Northumberland Plate, no horse had even attempted to do what Trueshan did. We may also have to wait another 189 years for another horse as highly rated as the champion stayer to feature in the 2m½f handicap again.
Baaeed – Juddmonte International
Although he was unable to end his career with an unbeaten, with defeat coming in the Qipco Champion Stakes, Baaeed did enough in 2022 to build a legacy that suggested he was one of the best horses seen since Frankel.
William Haggas’ colt recorded wins in the Lockinge Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Juddmonte International. It was the latter which saw him enter greatness, as he destroyed a Group One field by over six lengths in his first attempt at 1m2f.
🔟 out of 🔟
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) August 17, 2022
🏆 Baaeed wins the Juddmonte International Stakes and is still undefeated!
😍 What a horse, what a ride!#ITVRacing | #EborFestival | #Baaeed pic.twitter.com/OVu8kmSOXv
Baaeed will now have a career in stud, and it will be no surprise if he produces multiple Group One winners in the future. The former champion miler rose to the top of the world horse ratings in 2022 and was only recently dislodged from that position by Flightline.
Hopefully, the 2023 Flat season produces more spectacular performances like the three above. With so many exciting horses set to return next year, it looks set to be a campaign to look forward to.