Back-To-Back Railway Stakes Wins For Wootton Bassett

Henri Matisse (2c Wootton Bassett – Immortal Verse, by Pivotal) produced a classy performance to make it two from two in Sunday’s Group 1 Railway Stakes.

Wayne Lordan settled Aidan O’Brien’s charge towards the back of the field in the early stages and asked the bay to quicken from three furlongs out. Ridden approaching the final furlong, he ran on strongly to lead close home, asserting by half a length on the line. The pair drew three and a quarter lengths clear of the third horse, Group 3 winner and Norfolk Stakes third Arizona Blaze.

Speaking after the race, O’Brien said, “We thought he was a bit too babyish to go to Ascot and Wayne said he was still babyish there today, but that he will love going up to seven.”

On future plans, the trainer continued, “I'd say the winner is a National Stakes horse. If he was to go again before that it would be the Phoenix Stakes or the Futurity.”

Henri Matisse becomes Wootton Bassett’s second straight winner of the Railway Stakes, with 2023 victor Bucanero Fuerte going on to impress in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes.

The son of Wootton Bassett is owned by Coolmore partners with Merriebelle Irish Farm Ltd.