Wootton Bassett 1-2 in Railway Stakes Thriller

Bucanero Fuerte (2c Wootton Bassett - Frida La Blonde, by Elusive City) rallied gamely to lead home a 1-2 for Wootton Bassett in a thrilling finish to Sunday’s Group 2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh.

The Adrian Murray-trained bay impressed on debut at the track in March and produced a smart performance next time out to finish third in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes won by River Tiber (Wootton Bassett). Ridden by Rossa Ryan for the first time on Sunday, he chased the leader for much of the way and was pushed along to lead after the two furlong pole. Ridden when challenged a furlong out, he dug deep to deny the favourite Unquestionable (Wootton Bassett) by a short head, as the pair battled four and a half lengths clear of Listed winner His Majesty (No Nay Never) in third.

“He was gutsy,” Rossa Ryan said after the race. “The second horse never lay down and this lad stuck his neck out. He gave me a super feel throughout, he has a great mind and I would say the future is bright for him. I imagine when he steps up in trip and gets a bit more juice in the ground he'll be happier.”

“He's tough,” the winning trainer added. “We took a chance running so quickly after Ascot, but he didn't let us down. He's entered in the Phoenix Stakes or we might go to France for the Prix Morny.”

Owned by AMO Racing and Giselle De Aguiar, Bucanero Fuerte is a full-brother to Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye victor Wooded (Wootton Bassett) and the 110-rated Group performer Beat Le Bon (Wootton Bassett). The talented trio were bred by Gestut Zur Kuste.