It is now 22 years since William Haggas began training and 12 since he trained Shaamit to win the Derby on his first outing that season.
Both before and after that watershed success he had proved his ability to win with any type of horse in any grade.
His first top class two-year-old was the Champagne Stakes winner Bog Trotter and in the first phase of his career also sent out winners of major handicaps.
When he's got a group class horse it has been maximised, good examples amongst many others being the smart milers Dupont and Brunel the former winning the 2002 Italian and German Guineas, the latter winning the same German race in 2004. The sprinter Majestic Missile was a group performer from two to five years.
It therefore came as small surprise that Haggas was included in the bank of trainers used by Hamdan Al Maktoum which will give him a chance to access group class material.
But the heritage handicaps are never far from Haggas's thoughts as he proved when landing a one-two in the Stewards Cup except that the wrong one won in enigmatic Conquest who held the late thrust of better fancied stablemate King's Apostle.
It is indicative of the trainer's approach that he considers that Conquest has probably done his winning for this season and omits him from his list here.
However, with almost 60 winners posted by the end of the second week in August he looks certain to beat his best winners total and there are many horses worthy of discussion amongst the team he handles on the Fordham Road at Newmarket.
Here is the trainer's pick, in which he omits some exposed regulars who might find it hard but includes the improvers plus unraced youngsters that as making the right moves.
Older horses
CRETE
6 b g Montjeu - Paesanella.
Lightly raced with only 12 career starts, winning three from 10 to 12 furlongs. Went into handicaps when winning off 73 in May 2005 and up to 89 latest run when just over five lengths fifth of 16 to Hunting Country at Newbury July 19. Now a pound lower.
"In the Ebor, but wants a mile and a half on soft ground and he was hopeless on good to firm. After Richard Hughes rode him at Newbury last time he said a mile and six."
ENTICING
B f Pivotal - Superstar Leo.
Sprinting filly who has moved from precocious two-year-old group three winner to winning in the same class last start in King George at Goodwood July 31 beating Masta Plasta a length and rated 104- first win since May 2007. Now 107 but has been 115 and needs fast conditions to produce her best.
"The key to her is a fast pace and that's why Goodwood suits her because they go flat out and she does too much of they don't go fast enough. Shouldn't have had blinkers in the Kings Stand and she wants fast ground and is aiming for the Flying Five at the Curragh on August 31."
KING'S APOSTLE
4 b c King's Best - Politesse.
Smart sprint handicapper with five wins from 15 starts and now 102 having progressed from first winning mark of 78 in March 2007. Best effort latest when just failing to catch mercurial stablemate Conquest by a head in Stewards Cup. Now 106 and clearly improving.
"He's in the Hopeful Stakes at Newmarket on my birthday August 23 and if he wins that he could go for the sprint cup at Haydock then the Diadem at Ascot. The Ayr Gold Cup is possible but he does want the ground quick and I think that's what got him beat in the Stewards Cup, it was on the soft side, He's getting better and better and looks the best he has all year. Not very big but he's a hard sprinter, genuine and solid."
MUSAALEM
4 gr g Aljabr - Atyab.
Unraced at two and won debut August 2007 over seven at Warwick and won first two outings this year off 75 and 84 over seven and six furlongs. Up to 94 only subsequent start and well behind Laa Rayb in valuable seven furlong handicap at Ascot July 26 and stays on same mark.
"I don't know what happened at Ascot - probably didn't run fast enough - but seven furlongs might not have been right and I'm keen to go back to six furlongs and I'm putting him in the Ayr Gold Cup and will go somewhere before if I can find the right race. Definitely wants top of the ground.
MUTAJARRED
Ch g Alhaarth - Bedara.
Three from six over a mile last year and rated 100 when beating Many Volumes a neck at Great Leighs May 28. Up to 106 when favourite and well beaten in John Smiths Cup at York July 12. Clearly much better than that.
"He looked an absolute sod in the John Smiths and the race pulled him to pieces. We think he's coming back now and he might go for the Doonside Cup at Ayr and he'll be put in the Cambridgeshire. Soft ground, mile and a quarter seems right. Definitely listed class."
TIFERNATI
4 b g Dansili - Pain Perdu.
Won three of 11 starts last season moving from six furlongs to 12 and 71 to 84. Won penultimate outing this season off 82 when beating Gordonsville just over a length at Hamilton over 12 furlongs. Fair effort in defeat latest run when just over four lengths fourth of 15 to Profit's Reality at Newmarket July 11.
"I've left him in the Ebor but he ran on soft ground at Newmarket last time and it ripped the guts out of him but he's coming back. I am keen to step him up to a mile and six so he might go a mile and a half next time then the Mallard at Doncaster next month. A decent horse on good to firm."
Three-year-olds
ALFATHAA
B c Nayef - Arctic Char.
Won second start last season beating Slam five lengths over a mile at Newbury. Well beaten in Guineas rated 107 but has preformed with credit in defeat since off 105 in listed class although last of eight to River Proud at Goodwood August two. Not disgraced only attempt at ten furlongs.
"Haven't found the key to him yet this year. We know he wants top of the ground and it was too soft at Goodwood last time but I'm not sure of his trip and I think he wants a mile and a quarter but he may just want a very positive ride over seven. I need to win a race with him but I don't know where yet."
AQLAAM
B c Oasis Dream - Bourbonella.
Third in decent Ascot maiden July 2007 only start at two and progressive in both winning runs this season, latest when beating Warrd two lengths in group three Jersey at Royal Ascot June 18 off 93. Now 113 and clearly on the upgrade.
"He's a good horse but he did have a slight injury after Ascot and I'm hoping to get him back for the final part of the season for the Foret in France or the Challenge Stakes at Newmarket. I'm sure he'll be able to go further than seven and a lovely horse for the future."
BASQUE BEAUTY
B f Nayef - River Cara.
One run last year and third to Kotsi in decent seven furlong Newmarket maiden. Won on reappearance beating Queens Speech six lengths over a mile at Ascot July 27. Disappointing four and a quarter length seventh of eight to Lady Deauville in listed ten furlong event at Salisbury August 13 only subsequent run off 90.
"The initial reaction is that the soft ground at Salisbury took rather a lot out of her and I rather wish she hadn't run. Definitely needs a mile and a quarter - a decent filly."
COLLECTION
B c Peintre Celebre - Lasting Chance.
Won second and final start 2007 over seven and rated 80 when winning second outing this year beating Indian Days two and a half lengths at York in May over ten furlongs. Successful next start off 93 in listed race at Ascot June 19 and only two lengths off winner Twice over when fifth of ten in group two at Maison Laffite July 27. Now 112 and no group penalties.
"Lovely horse but must have it firm and it was on the slow side of good in France last time and he couldn't pick up and he's better than that. If the ground is ok he goes to York for the Strensall Stakes over nine. I'm half fancying bringing him back to a mile at some stage."
ETHAARA
B f Green Desert - Wissal.
Potential on sole appearance when six lengths fifth of 15 to Provenance over seven furlongs at Salisbury June 22.
"She's useful and will run as soon as it dries up. She ran all over the place at Salisbury and got tired. Her work indicates that she's much better than that and will definitely win a seven furlong maiden."
INSAAF
B f Averti - Molly Brown.
Won second start at two in October and struggled off 90 rating five subsequent starts and dropped to 87 when winning latest beating Badalona three lengths over a mile on soft at Hamilton August 13.
"Pleased she won at Hamilton but she was probably flattered and I fear she'll go up too much but she'll go back to stakes races. After Johnny Murtagh rode her when she was beaten in the Sandringham he said that she'd win a good race and I don't think he meant a Hamilton handicap. She's a galloper that doesn't find what you think but gets a mile well and may get further but soft ground looks important."
MAGHYA
B f Mujahid - Khaizarana.
Un-raced at two but has won three from six this season all at a mile, latest when beating Baby Houseman a length and a half at Newmarket June 28 off 83. Beaten two lengths most recent outing when up to 90 when sixth of ten to Lindelaan at Newbury July 19.
"Probably should have had more use made of her at Newbury but the jockey said she wasn't moving right and she was nursed home and hopefully she will benefit from that. Depending on ground - I think she's better on decent ground - she might go to Sandown for the Atlanta Stakes on August 30. If it were soft, Insaaf would run instead."
MAIMOONA
Ch f Pivotal - Shruk.
Second both starts at two and won two from three this season over five and six furlongs, beating Cristal Clear four lengths on heavy at Ripon July 7 off 81. Now 89. "Won two from three and just wants slow ground. In at Goodwood on August 24, but I'm more likely to send her for a five furlong handicap at York on August 21. I walked the course over the weekend and although it's in great condition the ground will be very much on her side. Still ok off her mark"
ROARING FORTE
B c Cape Cross - Decant.
Won second and final start at two over seven on all weather a Lingfield in November. Potential both starts this year off 82, latest when just under three lengths second to Grande Annee at Newmarket July 26, first attempt at a mile. Up to 85.
"Trotted up on the all weather last back end and is a real nice horse that hasn't got his act together yet and I'm hoping he'll do so at Pontefract over a mile on August 17. He should be ok off 85 but I'm not certain of his ideal ground."
SPEED SONG
B f Fasliyev - Superstar Leo.
Half sister to Enticing so a sprinter and won second start last season at Yarmouth. Rated 83 and dropped to 79 when winning first time out this year at Sandown beating Requisite a length and a quarter. Well-held second only subsequent run same course and distance off 85.
"Given too much to do last time but the jockey reckoned she didn't feel quite so good as she did first time this season. Providing it's fast she'll run in a fillies handicap at Goodwood on August 24 and I think she'll be ok over that six and more relaxed this year than last when she went off the boil. The break since her last run has helped and I think she might improve."
TANTO FAZ
B c Rock Of Gibraltar - Sharakawa.
Unraced at two and won second start by a neck from French Art over a mile at Haydock July 3. Rated 85 and good effort only subsequent appearance when three and a half lengths third to 11 to Ascot Lime at Sandown August 7, first attempt ten furlongs.
"His last two races have been on soft and I think he wants it fast. Still ran well last time but pulled hard and still stayed on and went up a pound. Well capable of winning off 86 and he might get further than ten furlongs next year. Immature and has the potential to be a very nice horse next season."
Two-year-olds
DANEHILL DESTINY
B f Danehill Dancer - Comeraincomeshine.
Won first two starts over five then last of 17 in group two Queen Mary at Royal Ascot only subsequent appearance when 7/2 favourite and clearly much better than that as 105 rating indicates.
"Impressive at Newmarket and Windsor the blew out at Ascot and I don't really know why. She's been in good form since and the plan is the Lowther Stakes at York. Ryan Moore has been to sit on her and is happy with her. I'm not saying Ascot was too firm for her but she won both her races with some give in the ground so it's possible conditions at York will suit her.
DEMAND
B f Red Ransom - Coy.
Favourite but distant eighth of 12 to Alexander Gulch on debut over six furlongs at Pontefract August 6.
"Ran moderately but definitely better than that, drawn one, in the stalls first and fell asleep and didn't wake up till they'd passed the line."
DIDDUMS
B g Royal Applause - Sahara Shade.
Under a length second on Wolverhampton debut won by Blown It and looked fortunate to win when Noverre To Go hung away winning chance at Doncaster over six furlongs August 2. Debut mark of 78 not impossible for nurseries.
"Won well but I think 78 is probably enough in a nursery - trainers always think their horses are too high - but possibly wants seven furlongs now and there might be a nursery for him at Newmarket."
JARGELLE
B f Kheleyf - Winter Tern.
Won second of two this season when just holding on after making nearly all in the five furlong super sprint at Newbury July 19. Better effort only subsequent run when length and a half third to Finjaan in group three at Goodwood July 29. Now 102.
"Bonny little filly that has improved and improved physically and mentally and got a fantastic ride in the super sprint. Got bags of speed and Liam Jones felt the draw beat him at Goodwood although I'm not sure about that but she was the only filly in the lineup and she wants top of the ground which might rule out the Roses at York and then there's the Flying Childers at Doncaster."
RESPITE
B f Pivotal - Truce.
Good second to smart Fantasia on debut over six at Newmarket July 11.
"Ran a very good race at Newmarket in atrocious conditions and was second to a good filly. The trouble is that the rest of the field aren't covering themselves with glory. We like this filly a lot and she's been put in the Fillies Mile at Ascot. Was a little sore after work at the beginning of August but will be running in a seven furlong maiden in September and will hopefully go on from there."
THE MAGIC OF RIO
B f Captain Rio Good Health.
Busy with seven runs and two wins, latest when winning five furlongs handicap at Brighton off 79 August 7 beating Kate The Great half a length. Now 84.
"Tough and five is right for her but her last race took a little more out of her than I thought. Good ground is right and although she's high enough he experience is a help in nurseries, there's one at Great Leighs on August 21."
TIGER GODDESS
Gr f Verglas - Googoosh.
Distant fifth of six on heavy latest of three runs at Hamilton August 13 but better judged on penultimate outing when nose second to Floodlit over seven at Kempton July 24.
"Held up to get the trip last time in the mud and it didn't work and she didn't go a yard. Should win on the Kempton form but I feel she'll be handicapped on that rather than Hamilton."
TRIPLE ASPECT
B c Danetime - Wicken Wonder.
Showed fine turn of pace to win debut over five at Sandown beating Doctor Parkes just over two lengths July 24.
"Showed a good bit of speed when he won and goes for the Roses at York. If it was slow he'd opt for a conditions race at Ripon or there's a race at Tipperary in August 28. Nice horse that caught us out a bit first time."
CAPE QUARTER
B c Elusive Quality - June Moon.
Unraced
"A nice horse that will be ready to run in September, look fine."
CHORAL SERVICE
Ch c Pivotal - Choir Mistress.
Unraced
"Half brother to Chorist, a nice mover but more backward than some that will run towards the back end."
DAMINAYAT GIRL
Ch f Elusive Quality - Dabaweyaa.
Unraced
"Backward but she's coming on quite quickly and we're quite hopeful she'll make up into a nice filly. Ready around September."
MUTAWARATH
B c Marju - Castlerahan.
Unraced
"Full brother to Brunel who coast a lot as a foal and is quite backward and not as sharp as Brunel was."
PROHIBITION
B c Danehill Dancer - Crumpetsfortea.
Unraced
"Expensive but is a nice horse and the only one that I've put in the Dewhurst but quite whether he's up to that I don't know. He'll run before that and a nice, uncomplicated horse. I like him."
SIR ISAAC
B c Key Of Luck - Rainbow Queen.
Unraced
"Got frightened in the stalls at Ascot last time and had to be withdrawn. A nice horse that will run before the end of August, probably over seven."
SOUTH EASTER
Ch c Galileo - Dance Treat.
Unraced
"Very nice and might not even run this year but very nice and one to look out for."
The knowledge
MUSAALEM: is going to drop back to six furlongs on faster ground.
MUTAJARRED: is considered at least listed class despite his disappointment last time.
AQLAAM: capable of going further than the Jersey Stakes seven furlongs.
TANTO FAZ: is definitely one to keep with this season and next.
ETHAARA: is working better than she has so far performed on track.
PROHIBITION and SOUTH EASTER are unraced but doing everything right
