Wootton Bassett Colt Fuels Derby Dream At Tattersalls

A Wootton Bassett colt bred on the same cross as Al Riffa (Wootton Bassett) provided one of the highlights at Tattersalls on Tuesday when selling to agent Will Douglas for 350,000gns.

The agent was accompanied by trainer Charlie Fellowes, and after outbidding Richard Ryan, revealed his purchase had been made on behalf of owner Paul Hickman. A delighted Fellowes, who will train the colt, later said, “I loved the way he showed, but I loved him even more once he got to the ring. Sometimes you can go off them if they misbehave with so much happening up here, but he walked around the sales ring like he owned it.”

On what drew them to the May-born bay, the trainer continued, “Wootton Bassett is a phenomenal stallion and he’s out of a Galileo mare too. The owner is really into his pedigrees and we really wanted a ten to twelve furlong horse, with the Derby being the dream. With this fella’s pedigree, we’ve got that.”

Consigned by WH Bloodstock, the son of Wootton Bassett was bred by Westerberg out of a full-sister to Stakes winners Kissed and Dawn Patrol, with the latter having placed in three Group 1’s. Epsom Derby hero Pour Moi (Montjeu), Grade 1 heroine Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock) and Group 1 performer Ancient Rome also appear under the second dam.

Another son of Wootton Bassett led early trade on Day 2 of the Tattersalls Book 2 Sale when knocked down to BBA Ireland for 260,000gns. Bred and consigned by Stringston Farm, the colt received a huge update when his half-sister Melo Melo (Gleneagles) won the Group 2 Prix de Pomone and again when finishing a close second to Warm Heart (Galileo) in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille.

“He has always been a nice easy-moving colt,” Nick Pocock of Stringston Farm later revealed. “It has been brilliant watching Melo Melo this year. It was special to have a runner in the Vermeille, because it is a race you kind of dream of being involved with.”