G1 Goals for Wootton Bassett Colt

Winner of the Listed Prix Omnium (1600m) on his seasonal return, exciting colt American Flag (3c Wootton Bassett x Tres Americanqueen, by American Post) could not have been more impressive at Longchamp, charging home from last to win the Group III Prix de Fontainebleau (1600m) running away by two and a half lengths.

Trained by Yann Barberot, American Flag has three wins and a second from four starts with Group I goals ahead.

“It could be that I can finally train the top horse I have been dreaming of,” Barberot said.

“This is why we wake up every morning. He has a lovely temperament and does everything easily and it all starts from there.

“I have never pushed him hard, this was not a target and I wanted to keep something in the tank for the major races to come. First, it will be the [May 14] G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and then the [June 4 Prix du] G1 Jockey Club if he shows us that he can stay. The only answer I don't have yet is which ground he prefers. He has always run on soft or very soft, so good is a question mark.”

A 102,000 purchase at the 2021 Arqana Deauville August Sale, American Flag is the first stakes-winner among five winners from good producer Tres Americanqueen, a half-sister to Group winners Tres Blue and Tres Rock Danon as well as stakes-winner Tres Rock Glory.

Wootton Bassett covered 169 mares in Australia last spring and will have his first Southern Hemisphere yearlings for sale in 2024 with a small selection of his weanlings entered for upcoming sales.

Two are in the catalogue for the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale and four have been entered for the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.