Wootton Bassett (GB) is on the brink of having his first Southern Hemisphere-bred runners hit the track this spring. Following a weekend of sensational results in Europe, Coolmore has confirmed the 2024 fee for the stallion.
The son of Iffraaj (GB) will serve his fourth book of mares at Coolmore’s Jerrys Plains operation for a fee of $192,500 (inc GST). Although his first Southern Hemisphere crop will only be turning two in the 2024/25 season, Wootton Bassett is a unique addition to the Australian stallion ranks, arriving as a proven option.
Coolmore’s marketing and nominations Tom Moore told The Thoroughbred Report, “Given the quality of mares he’s been patronised by in his initial seasons in Australia and the way they were received at the sales this year, we think he represents a great opportunity for Australasian breeders with quality mares this season. Particularly those elite mares looking for an outcross option.”
Legacy growing
It is well known that Wootton Bassett began his stud career at Haras d’Etreham in Normandy, where his ability to upgrade his mares and deliver impressive results on the track quickly caught the attention of Coolmore. In 2020, Coolmore purchased the then 12-year-old stallion.
Globally, Wootton Bassett has sired 47 individual stakes winners of 82 stakes races, along with 79 stakes performers. He is responsible for nine individual Group 1 winners, including Almanzor (Fr), who has become a Group 1-producing sire.
Other Group 1 progeny include King Of Steel (USA), a winner of the G1 Champion S.; Bucanero Fuerte (GB), who triumphed in the G1 Phoenix S.; Al Riffa (Fr), the G1 National S. winner; and the speedy Wooded (Ire), who claimed victory in the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp and is now a stallion with his oldest progeny being yearlings.
“Wootton Bassett continues to go from strength to strength. He produced two Group 1-winning 2-year-old colts last year and through Henri Matisse, Ides Of March and others, he’s well on track to emulate that incredible feat in consecutive years.
Mooree added, “From his current 2- and 3-year-old crops he’s already yielded 14 stakes winners, a number which is sure to grow.”
Exciting prospects abound for Bassett
Unsurprisingly, Wootton Bassett has been well-received in the Southern Hemisphere, covering 190 mares in his debut season. Meanwhile, in Europe, Wootton Bassett shows no signs of slowing down and continues to deliver impressive results on the track.
On Saturday, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Ides Of March (Ire) announced himself as a contender for the G1 Middle Park S. with an impressive victory in the G3 Round Table S. at the Curragh.
O’Brien commented on the colt, saying, “He was professional and has matured significantly since his last run. He’s a powerful, fast horse, and it’s easy for him to go quickly. He’s big and strong, and he’s getting bigger, wider, and stronger all the time. We have the Middle Park in mind, and he’s on course for that race.”
In August, another juvenile son of Wootton Bassett, Henri Matisse (Ire), signalled Group 1 aspirations when he added the G2 Futurity S. at the Curragh to his G2 Railway S. victory. O’Brien shared that the colt is on target for the G1 National S. on Irish Champions Weekend.
Other exciting prospects include Apples And Bananas (Ire), a Listed winner at Deauville; Angeal (Ire), a Group 3 winner in France aiming for the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac; and Chantez (Ire), a highly rated winner in Ireland trained by Ger Lyons. Additionally, Detain (Ire) and Jewelry (Ire), are other progeny of Wootton Bassett, have also received glowing feedback.
Australian representation
From his initial Southern Hemisphere crop, Wootton Bassett served an impressive array of mares, including the nine-time Group 1 winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock). The resulting filly from this mating commanded $2.1 million at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, purchased by Te Akau Racing’s David Ellis CNZM (BANZ). She has been named Avantaggia and is already making a strong impression on the Te Akau team.
Other first-crop progeny to note include Bottle Of Shells, a filly out of the Group 2-winning and Group 1-placed Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt), and Killer Heels, who is out of the dual Group 1 winner Fashions Afield (Redoute’s Choice).
Additionally, the Group 1 winner Invincibella (I Am Invincible) has produced a colt named Barking Mad. Another daughter of Wootton Bassett, Bella Wahine, is out of Little Surfer Girl (Encosta De Lago), who is also the dam of the multiple Group 1 winner Fangirl (Sebring).
“It should come as no surprise that Australian trainers have already identified the Wootton Bassett 2-year-olds as showing huge potential. He’s an incredibly unique stallion for Australia, in that he had already proven himself to be an elite sire of 2-year-olds that train on before he set foot in this country.”
This year, the progeny of Wootton Bassett averaged $379,328 across 75 sold, recording an aggregate of $28,449,630.
This article was written by Keely Mckitterick for TTRAusNZ.
