Progressive Wootton Bassett Colt Lands Goffs Million

Apples And Bananas (2c Wootton Bassett – Simannka, by Mastercraftsman) completed a hat-trick of wins when leading home a 1-2-3 for Coolmore sires in Europe’s richest two-year-old race, the Goffs Million.

Last seen winning a Listed race at Deauville, Joseph O’Brien’s charge dropped back to seven furlongs at the Curragh on Saturday and was ridden to make all by Dylan Browne McMonagle. Pushed along from the two furlong pole, he was ridden when Antelope Canyon (No Nay Never) delivered a challenge inside the final furlong, the pair battling neck-and-neck to the line. Apples And Bananas prevailed by a head, with another three lengths back to stablemate Celtic Motif (Saxon Warrior) in third, having encountered traffic problems at a vital stage.

“The winner is a very tough horse,” Joseph O’Brien said after the race. “He got a good aggressive ride and stayed to the line well. We might look at the Futurity or the race at Saint-Cloud next. I would see him as a 10 furlong horse next season, as he has some stamina in his pedigree.”

Owned by Maclennan/Shanahan/Magnier/Smith, the son of Wootton Bassett was bred by Phoenix Thoroughbreds out of the black-type Mastercraftsman mare Simannka.