Unbeaten Wootton Bassett Colt Eases Clear In Group 3

Maranoa Charlie (2c Wootton Bassett – Koubalibre, by Galileo) produced an impressive performance to extend his unbeaten record in Friday’s Group 3 Prix Thomas Byron at Saint-Cloud.

Two wins by a combined 11 and a half lengths saw Christopher head’s colt sent off favourite on his first start in Stakes company, and victory never looked in doubt as he boasted a 10 length advantage by halfway. The son of Wootton Bassett went on to win by eight lengths, with Aurelien Lemaitre only nudging him along in the final furlong.

“It's unbelievable,” said Peter Maher, who owns the exciting colt with Carl Fitzgerald and John Baxter. “He was just travelling so kindly and when he came into the straight like that as well it was quite surreal to be honest. I’ve never seen a horse run like that, not one of ours anyway. It’s difficult to try and work out where the limit may or may not be, but the way he ran today was just very impressive, it really was.”

Looking ahead, Maher continued, “All being well, we’ll go to the Criterium International, over a mile at Saint-Cloud again, so that will be the next challenge. That’s providing Christopher [Head] is happy with the horse and he pulls up well after the race.”

The son of Wootton Bassett was bred by Haras d’Etreham, Riviera Equine and Gestut zur Kuste out of a close relation to Group 1 performer Year Of The Tiger (Galileo).