breednet.com.au

What a Weekend – Wootton Bassett!

Tara Madgwick - Monday September 9

It was a big weekend for Wootton Bassett (GB) on two fronts with his exciting Australian Group II winner Royal Patronage (Fr) successful at Randwick, while in France he had a new two year-old stakes-winner overnight and another unbeaten juvenile that promises stakes success.

The Group III Prix la Rochette (1400m) at Longchamp was won in good style by the Christopher Head trained colt Houquetot, who made it three wins from four starts when he forged clear to win by three-quarters of a length for Aurelien Lemaitre.

 

“Wootton Bassett is quite the stallion and what a stallion he is,” said Christopher Head.

“I really like this horse, I love his attitude and that was perfect today. He behaves really well in his races and it it bodes well for his next race, which will be the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1). With that in mind, it was the plan not to have a hard race today and Aurelien [Lemaitre] did a very good job. He goes on soft ground, he's truly a miler and he will be in all the mile races next season.”

Advertisement

Purchased for €280,000 at the Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale by Mandore International Agency / John Hammond, Houquetot carries the colours of Al Shaqab Racing and is the first winner for Group III winning War Front mare Happen, a half-sister to Group winners Somehow, Alex My Boy and to the dam of Group I winner Aspetar.

Happen is a daughter of Champion 3YO Filly Alexandrova, who won the Group I Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks so longer trips should be no problem for Houquetot.

Houquetot is the 48th stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett, who has another up and coming juvenile star in Maranoa Charlie, who is also trained by Christopher Head for an Australian ownership group.

 

He made it two wins from two starts at Chantilly on Saturday when he bolted in by eight lengths over a mile and  is looking to step up to stakes company for his next start.

 

Maranoa Charlie has Australian ownership -image Head Racing Twitter

Maranoa Charlie was  bought for €220,000 at the Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale by the Broadhurst Agency and is the first winner from Koubalibre, a winning half-sister by Galileo to Group I winner Tiggy Wiggy.

Wootton Bassett has sired 22 juvenile winners in 2024 and five are stakes-winners plus four more have stakes-placed.

Wootton Bassett is back in Australia this spring at a fee of $192,500 with his first Australian runners set to race this season.

Wootton Bassett (GB) is at Coolmore Australia this spring.

 

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
No Compromise Still Going Strong in NZ
Bill Thurlow couldn’t have hoped for a better week at the New Zealand Cup carnival and is optimistic a more senior member of the team can add a northern feature to the stable’s tally this Saturday.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Tavistock Mare Chasing G1
Last start Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) winner Town Cryer has another Trentham feature in her sights, taking the next step towards the Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at the Foxton trials on Tuesday.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.