Son Of Wootton Bassett Powers Clear To Group 2 Glory

Topgear (5h Wootton Bassett – Miss Lech, by Giant’s Causeway) blew the opposition away with a hugely impressive performance in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.

Unbeaten as a juvenile, the son of Wootton Bassett missed his three-year-old campaigned and placed in a pair of Group 3’s before switching to the Christopher Head stable this term.

A stylish Group 3 winner at Longchamp last time out, he was sent off favourite on Friday and travelled strongly throughout under Stephane Pasquier. Second from an early stage, he led two furlongs from home and soon powered clear, going on to score by five and a half lengths. Royal Scotsman (Gleneagles), who raced alone on the stands’ side, finished best of the remainder.

“I really love this horse,” said the winning trainer. “What a season for the stable and what a season for Wootton Bassett. Stephane said he is not blowing a candle and he is a very nice horse. This horse could go anywhere and it is going to be very interesting.”

Pasquier added. “He was unbeaten as a two-year-old and I felt he was a Group One horse. He is now coming back and I am very happy to see that. I think the plan could include going to Saudi Arabia with him next year. He is a good horse and there are good races to go for with for him.”

Owned by Hisaaki Saito, Topgear is the best horse bred by Snig Elevage out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Miss Lech. He is one of four Group winners by Wootton Bassett for Christopher Head this season.