Exciting Wootton Bassett Colt Joins Classy Honour Roll

Camille Pissarro (2c Wootton Bassett – Entreat, by Pivotal) was described as “very exciting” after leading home a 1-2 for Coolmore sires in Saturday’s two-year-old maiden at Navan.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained newcomer was sent off favourite for the six furlong contest, which was won by subsequent Group 2 Coventry Stakes victor and Group 1 performer River Tiber (Wootton Bassett) in 2023, while the 2022 winner Aesop’s Fables (No Nay Never) went on to win the Group 2 Futurity Stakes and place in two Group 1 sprints.

Shaken up to lead approaching the final furlong, Camille Pissarro kept on well to win by a length and a half under Ryan Moore. Promising newcomer New Theory (Starspangledbanner) claimed runners-up honours

“He is very exciting,” Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said after the race. “The penny was only starting to drop with him really in the last half-furlong, which was probably the best part of the race for him. He has a very good attitude which is typical of the Wootton Bassett’s.” On whether the winner could head to Royal Ascot, Armstrong added, “He is definitely one for Ascot, he’s a classy sort. Whether we get one run into him between now and Ascot, I’m not sure.”

Owned by Coolmore partners with Peter Brant, Camille Pissarro was bought by MV Magnier and White Birch Farm as a yearling for 1.25 million guineas. Bred by CN Farm, the son of Wootton Bassett is a half-brother to three Stakes winners, including Group 1 victor Golden Horde.