bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes |
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| Group 3, Sandown 14:25 £85,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 1f 209y, Class 1  |
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1 Al Aasy 15/2
2 Ancient Wisdom 12/1
3 Almaqam 4/1
7 ran Distances: ½l, ¾l, nk
Time: 2m 11.22s (slow by 4.22s)
🔵⚪️ Al Aasy wins the Gordon Richards @Sandownpark pic.twitter.com/zLgxR3zCiF
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 25, 2025
He’s no stranger to drama – and Al Aasy delivered another late, heart-thumping chapter to his storybook career, coming from the clouds to win at Sandown in trademark style.
Making his seasonal debut as an 8-year-old, the William Haggas-trained stalwart was overlooked by the market at 15-2. But under a supremely confident ride from Jim Crowley, the veteran produced a withering late burst to grab the prize, just as it looked to have slipped away.
Dropped out stone last in the early stages of the 10-furlong Group Three contest, Crowley was ice-cool in the saddle – biding his time as Ancient Wisdom and Arabian Crown dictated from the front. The tempo was honest, the setup ideal, and when the race began to unwind inside the final two furlongs, the familiar chestnut silks of Shadwell began to emerge.
See The Fire, the only filly in the field and the 11-4 favourite, looked set to pounce wide on the track – but when the pressure came, it was Al Aasy who found wings. Travelling sweetly into contention, he knuckled down and reeled in the long-time leader with 100 yards to go, flashing past the post half a length in front. For the 10th time in his career – and the seventh at Group Three level – Al Aasy reigned supreme.
“It was textbook from Jim,” said a beaming Maureen Haggas, assistant to her husband. “He knows him so well now – just waited, let the race unfold, and timed it beautifully. There was a risk he might have been a bit too fresh, as he’s been bouncing at home, but he couldn’t have gone through it more professionally.”
The gelding operation may have helped focus a wayward mind, but the engine has never been in doubt. Once narrowly touched off by Pyledriver in the 2021 Coronation Cup, Al Aasy continues to repay the faith shown in him with every stride.
“He’s been a slow burn in terms of maturity,” Maureen added. “Before he was gelded, he wasn’t always the most straightforward – he liked the girls a bit too much, let’s say! But now he’s settled, content, and it’s lovely to see him enjoying his racing.”
As for future plans? A return to Epsom for a Coronation Cup encore hasn’t been ruled out – but the team may yet lean on softer ground and familiar territory for Hamish instead.
“Whether it's a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half, we’ll look for races that play to his strengths,” she said. “And if you had a yard full of Al Aasys and Hamishes – well, you wouldn’t be doing too badly, would you?”
bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes
£85,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m 1f 209y, Class 1
7 ran
Going: Good, Good to Soft in places
POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (5) Al Aasy 8 9-2 William Haggas Jim Crowley 15/2
2 (4) ½ Ancient Wisdom 4 9-2 Charlie Appleby William Buick 12/1
3 (6) ¾ Almaqam 4 9-2 Ed Walker Tom Marquand 4/1
4 (2) nk Royal Champion 7 9-5 K R Burke Clifford Lee 4/1
5 (3) ½ See The Fire 188 4 8-13 Andrew Balding Oisin Murphy 11/4F
6 (7) 3½ Arabian Crown 4 9-2 Charlie Appleby Ryan Moore 7/2
7 (1) ½ Peace Man 6 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Robert Havlin 16/1
