Wootton Bassett (GB)

Perfect through two eyecatching wins at Deauville in August and Chantilly last month, 'TDN Rising Star' Maranoa Charlie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Koubalibre {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) continued his impressive rise with an untroubled pillar-to-post triumph in Friday's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon Jockey Club de Turquie at Saint-Cloud to retain his unbeaten record in style. The 1-5 favourite was swiftly into stride and soon established a clear lead. Tanking along in hand throughout, he was in another parish turning for home and required minimal encouragement in the straight to easily outclass...

A trio of yearlings have been added to Book 1 of the upcoming Goffs Orby Sale. Heading the youngsters is Lot 5A, a colt by Wootton Bassett (GB) out of SW and MGSP Thai Haku (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who is already responsible for listed winner Sarrocchi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The Irish-bred colt is consigned by Marlhill House Stud. Offered by Al Eile Stud, Lot 81A, a filly by Siyouni (Fr) is out of An Cailin Orga (Ire) (Galileo), herself a daughter of European Champion 2-year-old filly and Irish champion...

Joseph O'Brien trainee Apples And Bananas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Simannka {Ire}, by Mastercraftsman {Ire}), fresh off a black-type breakthrough in last month's Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage at Deauville, continued on a winning roll with a battling victory in Saturday's Goffs Million at the Curragh. The 5-2 second choice was quickly into stride from the stands' side stall and gained an immediate advantage in this seven-furlong test. Comfortable on the front end until scrubbed along with a quarter-mile remaining, he was tackled by 9-4 favourite Antelope Canyon (Ire)...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a Medaglia d'Oro at Dundalk. 17.45 Dundalk, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, f, 7f (AWT) DRAMATIC (Medaglia d'Oro) is one of two Ballydoyle newcomers in the line-up and apparently the second-string on jockey bookings, but as a $1.5-million Keeneland November Foal purchase and half-sister to the high-class Honor...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features a half-sister to a Group 1-winning sire. 13.55 Punchestown, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, f, 7fT BEYOND DREAMS (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is a rare Michael Tabor runner for the Dermot Weld stable and as a half-sister to the dual group 1-winning sire Zoustar (Aus) has plenty to...

Handed the unenviable task of taking on the might of Ballydoyle in Leopardstown's G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes on Saturday, Marc Chan's homebred Green Impact (Ire) (Wootton Bassett (GB}--Emerald Green {GB}, by Galileo {Ire}) proved up to the task to provide his owner-breeder with a red-letter day. The first horse bred by Chan, the Jessica Harrington-trained relative of Power (GB) and Footstepsinthesand (GB) was sent up by Shane Foley to track Aidan O'Brien's second-string Bernard Shaw (Into Mischief) throughout the early stages with the stable's 5-6 favourite Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi...

Newtown Anner Stud's Chantez (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Lady Lara {Ire}, by Excellent Art {GB}) fired the opening salvo on Irish Champions Weekend with a dominant, albeit wayward, victory in Saturday's Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes at Leopardstown. The 220,000gns October Book 1 graduate, who posted a three-length maiden victory over the same seven-furlong strip in her second outing last month, broke well from an outer gate and tracked the leaders in third through halfway. Taking closer order off the home turn, the 6-5 favourite quickened to the fore...

Christopher Head trainee Houquetot (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Happen, by War Front) endured a first defeat in three career starts when runner-up in last month's G3 Prix Francois Boutin and bounced back with a game victory in Sunday's G3 Prix La Rochette at ParisLongchamp. The 11-10 favourite, previously successful in two seven-furlong heats at Compiegne, broke smartly and raced in a prominent second from flagfall in this fourth start at the specialist distance. Stoked up with a quarter-mile remaining, he joined long-time leader Sir Tommy Cen (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) entering...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a 'TDN Rising Star'. 13.40 Chantilly, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, c/g, 8fT MARANOA CHARLIE (FR) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) earned TDN Rising Star with his impressive debut win in Deauville's Arqana Series Des Poulains last month and Peter Maher, Carl Fitzgerald and John Baxter's relative of the G1...

Wootton Bassett (GB) will command a fee of A$192,500 in 2024 when he covers his fourth book of mares at Coolmore's Jerry Plains operation in New South Wales, Australia, it was announced on Sunday. The son of Iffraaj (GB) is on the brink of having his first Southern Hemisphere-bred runners hit the track. He is already well-established as one of the leading stallions in Europe as the sire of nine individual Group 1 winners, including the European champion three-year-old colt Almanzor (Fr) and last year's G1 Champion Stakes hero King Of...

It was a familiar story at The Curragh on Saturday as Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore dominated the card's juvenile races with Ides Of March (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Nickname, by Scat Daddy) bringing up an afternoon treble for connections in the G3 Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes. Impressive over this six-furlong trip and track last month, the son of the GI Frizette Stakes heroine was able to ease to the front after the early stages and power clear from two out with impressive sectionals en route to a 3...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a son of Dubawi (Ire). 13.45 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, c/g, 8fT ACAPULCO BAY (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) caught the eye when second behind fellow Ballydoyle trainee and TDN Rising Star Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) over seven furlongs here three weeks ago and is bred to appreciate...