Sandown Success for Wootton Bassett

Outstanding European sire Wootton Bassett is in Australia for the first time this spring and the proven Group I sire has a most promising Australian winner in Rapid Achiever (4m Wootton Bassett x Diavola, by Duke of Marmalade), who made it two wins from two starts when scoring at Sandown on Wednesday.

Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the French bred mare bolted in on debut at Donald on August 1 and had no trouble stepping straight up to a Benchmark 64 event over 1600m for fillies and mares.

She enjoyed a good run behind the leaders and showed good determination when it counted at the finish to win by a neck under John Allen.

“She’s still quite raw and got an excellent ride from Johnny (Allen), who nursed her through the race and when he needed to dig in and find the reserves he did, so I think there’s more to come,” said David Eustace.

“She’ll tick through the grades for now, but obviously she’s a mare that we would like to get Black Type with in the future.”

Purchased by renowned Australian bloodstock agent John Foote for 130,000 euros from the Arqana October Yearling Sale, Rapid Achiever runs for a syndicate of owners and looks to have a bright future.

She is the first winner for Diavola, a half-sister by Duke of Marmalade to stakes-winner Dalkova from the family of Group I stars Daliapour, Darshaan and blue hen Darara.

Completely free of Danehill blood, Wootton Bassett is a proven outcross sire that stands at a fee of $71,500 this spring. He enjoyed strong results at the Arqana Yearling Sale this week with his best result a colt sold for 500,000 euros.