Coolmore pull off big coup as they buy rising stallion sensation

Wootton Bassett, sire of 2016 European champion three-year-old Almanzor from his first crop, has been purchased by Coolmore from Haras d’Etreham.

The news stacks up as a big deal in more ways than one - certainly, buying one of France's top-tier stallions just as he is reaching his prime would not come cheap.

“From his initial small crops in France, Wootton Bassett has achieved outstanding results,” said Coolmore’s David O’Loughlin.

“His first crop of just 23 foals included Classic winner and European champion three-year-old Almanzor, he’s had two other colts finish second in the Prix du Jockey Club and two fillies finish second, beaten only a nose, and third in this year’s French Guineas – and this all from €6,000 nominations or less.

"He strikes us as a real Classic stallion, he gets a very good type and is a total outcross with his pedigree free of the major European forces like Sadler’s Wells, Galileo, Montjeu, Danehill, Green Desert, Invincible Spirit, Danehill Dancer and Dubawi."

O'Loughlin added: "We are thrilled that he is coming to Coolmore and are very excited about what he might achieve when paired with our Galileo mares.”

Unbeaten in five starts as a juvenile for Richard Fahey, Wootton Bassett, now 12, landed two valuable sales events before running out a decisive winner of the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, after which he was rated champion two-year-old colt in France.

Wootton Bassett wins the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp in 2010Credit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Wootton Bassett’s first crop conceived after a fee rise from €6,000 to €20,000 are now two-year-olds.

They already include Richard Hannon’s unbeaten Listed winner Chindit and a pair of first-time-out winners at Deauville in Hiroo Shimizu’s Midlife Crisis, who won well by five lengths, and Fabrice Chappet’s Early Light, who won in similarly great style on Tuesday.

Wootton Bassett’s 2020 yearlings were sired at €20,000 and his 2020 foals at €40,000, while he also stood at €40,000 in 2020.

“It has been an amazing journey, a real pleasure and a great pride for everybody at Etreham to be involved in Wootton Bassett’s stud career as he established himself as the most exciting up-and-coming sire in Europe,” said Haras d’Etreham’s Nicolas de Chambure.

“With his best-bred crops yet to run I have no doubt that he has a brilliant future ahead of him and the quality of the broodmare band at Coolmore will give him a wonderful opportunity to continue his upward trajectory."

He added: "It is of course with a touch of sadness that myself and the team at Etreham will see him leave the farm, however we are looking forward to the first yearlings this year by his best son Almanzor, and to current dual Group 1 winner Hello Youmzain when he retires here in 2021.

"I would also like to thank all the shareholders and all the breeders that have supported Wootton Bassett during his eight seasons at Etreham.”

Wootton Bassett is a son of Iffraaj out of the Primo Dominie mare Balladonia, and was bred by Laundry Cottage Stud in Hertfordshire. He was picked up by Bobby O'Ryan for £46,000 as a yearling at the 2009 St Leger sale.

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