Haggas Spills the Tea on His Royal Ascot Heroes (And Yeah, Economics is Still Broken)

By Lewis Barnett 30 June, 2025 6 mins read 29 Views

So I cornered William Haggas yesterday, and honestly? The man's juggling more horse schedules than I juggle my Netflix queue.

More Thunder – that absolute unit who got robbed by a head in the Wokingham – might get thrown into the July Cup at Newmarket. Meanwhile, Merchant (who's looking like he could take on the world right now) is eyeing up Glorious Goodwood. But here's the kicker: Economics is still on the injury list, and it's getting properly frustrating.

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More Thunder: From Zero to Hero in 12 Months

Remember this time last year when More Thunder was getting schooled at Chester over a mile and a quarter? Yeah, me neither. But apparently that happened, and now look at him – sprinting like his tail's on fire over 6f and nearly stealing the Wokingham from last place.

Haggas told me straight up: "More Thunder could go to Ireland on the 20th for a Group 2 over 7f or he could be supplemented for the July Cup. We will look at the Group 1 over 7f at York as well."

The horse would've won the Wokingham with another stride. Maybe two.

"He was a bit far back and got tangled up in the Wokingham but ran very well," Haggas said, which is trainer-speak for 'we got mugged but I'm being diplomatic about it.'

Merchant's Getting Ideas Above His Station

Here's where it gets interesting. Merchant – rated a modest 90 at Ascot – just got the biggest form boost you could ask for when Serious Contender (the horse he beat) ran second in the Irish Derby behind Lambourn.

Suddenly everyone's taking notice.

"The Gordon Stakes looks the most likely target for Merchant," Haggas said. "It's possible he's a St Leger horse. But all options are open. He could still be a King George contender, and what I can say is he won't come out of that race at the next forfeit."

Translation: this horse might be seriously good, and they're not rushing any decisions.

Economics: The Elephant in the Stable

God, where do I even start with Economics?

Last year's Irish Champion Stakes winner has been out since October, missed Royal Ascot, and now he's missing the Eclipse too. It's like watching your favorite TV show get cancelled mid-season.

"As everyone knows he got an injury from which he is recovering but not quickly enough for us," Haggas said, and you could hear the disappointment. "We are missing big events like Royal Ascot and the Eclipse. I doubt he will be ready for the Irish Champion so we will be looking at later in the season."

Poor Economics. Poor us, really.

The Supporting Cast Isn't Sitting Still

Godwinson might head to France for the Prix Messidor after getting hammered by the handicapper – up 5lb for winning the Lincoln (fair enough) then another 5lb for a Newcastle win worth peanuts. "What can you do?" Haggas shrugged. "I needed to run him and the going on the grass is too firm for him."

Makes sense. Sort of.

Then there's Lake Forest, who looked like a world-beater in Australia back in November but flopped at York over the weekend. Only beat two home in the Criterion, which had me scratching my head until Haggas explained it.

Why Lake Forest Isn't Finished Yet

"We ran Lake Forest too quick," Haggas admitted. "It was also not a track to come from behind from. It looked like there would be plenty of pace, but the other front runners left Quinault alone – although he did very well – which wasn't good for us."

But here's the thing – Haggas isn't giving up on him. "Lake Forest could go for the Lennox at Glorious Goodwood or the Sussex. He could easily run second or third in a Sussex. He's a good horse. He's got a lot of ability."

Then he dropped this gem: "Remember the race he ran at Newmarket as a juvenile in a novice was awful (got beat at 1-3f). Then he came out and won the Gimcrack!"

Horses. They'll drive you mental, but that's why we love them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How important is a horse’s pedigree when it comes to winning races?

The pedigree of a racing horse can indicate its potential, but it isn't the only thing that determines their success. The lineage of a horse may indicate an inherited ability for speed or endurance. However, training, health and temperament can also be influential factors. Good training can help a horse maximize its natural abilities. It may even be able to outperform other horses with better pedigrees.

How often are racehorses trained?

The frequency of training for racehorses depends on the horse's individual needs, fitness level, and racing schedule. A typical daily routine would consist of exercises such as walking and trotting. More intense workouts such as galloping, or breezing, are performed several times per week to increase stamina and improve speed. Rest days allow the horse time to recover from training and to avoid overtraining.

How do I train a racing horse?

It is important to condition a horse gradually. This includes long distance training to build stamina along with shorter workouts that increase speed. It is important to strengthen the horse’s cardiovascular system, muscles, and skeletal structures over time by following a regiment that mimics racing conditions without causing injury.

How can I maintain the mental well-being of my racehorse?

Maintenance of a racehorse's mental health is as crucial as its physical conditioning. Diverse routines are important for a racehorse’s mental well-being. To prevent stress, it is important that the horse be socialized and has a stable and calm environment.

What age should a race horse start training?

Horses can start their basic training as yearlings, but most begin their more rigorous race training and conditioning when they are around two years old. The horses' bodies will be mature enough to withstand the strain of racing, while still young and adaptable. However, timing will vary depending upon the horse's individual temperament and developmental stage.

Can you race a horse on any track?

While the initial training may be conducted on different tracks, the specific race training will often require facilities that replicate the conditions in which the horse will compete. It is important to use tracks that are the same size as the actual track the horse will be racing on. It is important to use the right track in order to condition the horse correctly and familiarize them with the particular racing environment.

Statistics

The average racehorse reaches its peak physical ability between the ages of four to five, with some variation based on the breed and individual development.
Research has found that a racehorse's stride length can increase by up to 7% following specific strength and conditioning programs.
The majority of racehorses in training are subject to an exercise regimen that includes being ridden six days a week.
The Injury Database from The Jockey Club reports that synthetic racing surfaces have a lower horse fatality rate than dirt tracks, with a statistically significant difference of 1.2 fatalities per thousand starts on synthetics compared to 2.0 on dirt tracks.
An extensive survey indicated that over 90% of racehorse trainers utilize swimming as a low-impact exercise in their conditioning routines.
Studies suggest that proper early training can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses by up to 50%.

External Links

How To

How To Start Training a Young Racehorse

Start the training process of a young racing horse with an emphasis on trust and familiarity. Introduce the horse to a saddle, bridle or a new sensation. Before introducing the trot, teach your horse basic commands, such as walk, stop, and turn. Consistency, patience, and gentle reinforcement are important.

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https://sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/the-day-aidan-obrien-lost-his-cool-and-why-he-was-right